COVENTRY City boss Gordon Strachan has earmarked Glen Little and the Burnley strikeforce of Andy Payton and Andy Cooke as the men to watch if his side is to avoid an FA Cup shock.

Strachan has personally checked out the Clarets ahead of tomorrow's fourth-round clash at Highfield Road, which is set to be a near 23,000 sell-out. And he marked down where he feels the threat to his in-form side could lie.

Strachan said: "I went to see Burnley at Notts County and they were unlucky not to get anything out of the game.

"They were very impressive and their manager must have been scratching his head afterwards.

"They have got some good experienced players mixed with some good youngsters.

"They have got good movement and enthusiasm and the young lads Glen Little and Andy Cooke look very promising players.

"Andy Payton makes good runs and has a good scoring record so he will be a threat as well."

Coventry are 13th in the Premiership table and look well equipped to avoid a repeat of the relegation dog-fights that have occupied their minds in recent years.

And as well as looking for a top-half league finish, Strachan is also hoping that his blend of proven British performers and foreign stars will propel the Sky Blues towards Wembley, where they lifted the Cup in 1987.

"I fancy a bit of a run but we can't look too far ahead because our concentration has to be totally on Burnley at the moment.

"A couple of years ago we thought we had one of the weakest draws against Sheffield United and we stumbled, so I hope we don't come up against another keeper in top form. "Some people say they will come here with nothing to lose but that's wrong. Their pride is at stake.

"Macclesfield came here and got beat 7-0 last season and their pride was hurt, so Burnley won't want that to happen," added Strachan, who is expected to name the same side that drew 2-2 with Chelsea on Tuesday night.

Burnley are looking for a repeat of their magnificent third-round win at Derby County, as they bid to reach the fifth round for the first time since 1983.

Boss Stan Ternent, who is likely to recall Gordon Armstrong provided his foot injury has cleared up, believes his side can give Coventry a run for their money if they are on top of their game.

And number two Sam Ellis is hoping that lightning may strike twice for the Clarets' Cup heroes.

He said: "At Derby we played well in a one-off game. To keep playing well against a Premier League side you still can't guarantee that will be enough.

"But we will be doing our best. It's a good opportunity for us and everybody in the club is looking forward to it."

Coventry look to be a better side than Derby, particularly as an attacking force.

City midfielder Gary McAllister, playing as well as ever at the age of 35, recognises Burnley's threat and stressed the need for Coventry to maintain the form they showed against Arsenal and Chelsea over the holiday period to steer clear of an upset. He said: "It's a cracking tie because they will bring a lot of fans with them and we will show them the utmost respect because we know they are a pretty decent side.

"Sometimes teams can lower their standards against a club from a lower division and the boot will certainly be on the other foot on Saturday, compared with our last two games.

"We have been the underdogs and nearly come out on top twice. And now we go into the cup match as favourites, while Burnley are the side that isn't expected to do anything so the pressure is definitely on us now."

Burnley from: Crichton, West, Armstrong, Mellon, Davis, Thomas, Little, Cook, Cooke, Payton, Mullin, Jepson, Branch, Johnrose, Weller, Smith, Swan, Brass, Cowan, Robertson.

Coventry from: Hedman, Telfer, Froggatt, Breen, Williams, Chippo, McAllister, Palmer, Hadji, Roussell, Keane, Whelan, Normann, Gustaffson, Eustace, Orgizovic (gk).

Burnley boss Stan Ternent has denied an interest in Bristol City's transfer-listed striker Tony Thorpe, with his potential transfer targets lying elsewhere.

Burnley's 'fancy dress' fans will swap the Father Christmas outfits they wore at Derby for Arabian Nights outfits at Coventry tomorrow, with over 100 expected to bring a Middle Eastern feel to the East Midlands.

Supporters travelling with Rossendale Clarets to tomorrow's game should ring Bev for a departure time on 01706 224924 or 0976 519701.

The Clarets juniors are away to Rochdale tomorrow in the Youth Alliance League.

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