RECENTLY converted Clarets fan Gareth Taylor believes Burnley have faltering Birmingham City in their sights as they chase the ultimate prize of a Premiership place.

Taylor is now restricted to a watching brief after Burnley's refusal to pay Manchester City a fee to cover the final month of his loan spell at Turf Moor.

But the big striker, back at Maine Road until his contract expires in the summer, still wants the Clarets to force their way into the top six in the closing week of the season.

And he believes Birmingham, three points above Stan Ternent's men in the table but with a superior goal difference in the last play-off berth, are the most vulnerable to Burnley's inspired late charge.

"I think if I had to pick one I would have to say Birmingham. They were delighted to get a point at our place, you'd think they'd won the World Cup.

"If one of them cracks it could be them and they know it, so they are under pressure," said Taylor.

The Blues haven't won for 10 games and were fortunate to leave Turf Moor last Saturday with a 0-0 draw after surviving a last-gasp Taylor miss and a seemingly clear-cut penalty appeal for handball against defender Michael Johnson.

However, manager Trevor Francis remains confident of a third successive play-off finish.

He said: "We have made it difficult for ourselves with our results over the last ten games.

"But there is a real resolve about us at this moment and if we keep performing like we did against Burnley we won't have any problems in confirming our play-off place. But obviously we would like to win and we have got a great opportunity to do that against Grimsby at St Andrew's on Saturday."

One win would be enough to deny Burnley for Birmingham, Preston and West Brom and the Blues' best chance of the three points they need would appear to be against Grimsby, although the Mariners still need a result to guarantee their survival.

On the final day of the season City go to relegation-threatened Huddersfield, who are at West Brom on Saturday where they could do themselves and Burnley a favour.

Baggies midfielder Richard Sneekes sees it differently, however.

"We still need some points to make sure we are in the play-offs now and what better way to do it than at home against Huddersfield, instead of needing to go to the final game," said Sneekes who faces a tough last fixture at North End.

Preston, meanwhile, go to Crewe on Saturday looking to insure against possible defeats to Blackburn and West Brom in the last week.

But while the ball isn't in Burnley's court, Taylor insists his former and potentially future team-mates shouldn't be counted out.

"The lads can do it. They deserve success. They are a great bunch and the gaffer has got his mind on it," he added.

"I've been in that situation before and anything can happen. If they win their last two games they will give themselves the best possible chance and then it's down to whatever else happens with the other teams."

Taylor hopes to be at Bramall Lane on Saturday to see Burnley take on his former club and is looking to the Clarets to take their fight to to the last weekend and Watford's visit to Turf Moor on Sunday week.

"Sheffield United will be hard but their home form has dipped a bit lately. That's what's let them down and lost them their chance of getting in the play-offs," he said.

"Our away form has been good of late and if we play like we have been doing Burnley can do it."

I was impressed with the way the lads won the other night.

"That spirit has been a massive part of why I have enjoyed it so much. They have a never-say-die attitude that has pulled them through."