STEVE Cotterill has challenged Brian Jensen to grab his first team opportunity with both hands.

Danish goalkeeper Jensen looks set for an extended run in the Burnley side following the bad news that first choice stopper Danny Coyne faces at least three months out with a detached tendon in his leg.

And boss Cotterill, who revealed he will look to bring in a loan keeper next week, has told Jensen the shirt is now his to lose.

He said: "Brian was very good at Leeds the other night, but he has to remain consistent.

"I will be looking to bring another goalkeeper in next week, not to necessarily replace Brian because if he plays well he keeps the shirt on merit.

"But he has to stay on top of his game. It can be harder to keep your concentration when you're dropped in now and again, but it's important that he has competition.

"Poor Brian has had competition this season when I could have done with a few more outfield players having that too, so this is the chance he has been waiting for.

"He has to take it, but we are all wishing him well and hoping he does just that. He has been very patient waiting in the wings and he would never have wanted his opportunity to come on the back of an injury to Danny.

"They get on very well together and now it's important that Danny supports Brian because it's all part of the squad game."

Jensen makes only his second league start of the season against Ipswich Town today after deputising for the injured Coyne at QPR last weekend, then impressing as his replacement at Elland Road in midweek.

His only previous appearance was in the Carling Cup first round tie with Wolves, when he emerged a hero after two penalty saves in normal time and another in the shoot-out.

And Cotterill is now hoping his defence can instantly strike up a mean streak similar to the one they enjoyed with Coyne at their backs.

He added: "The defence all has to get used to Brian now because he won't sweep up off his line like Danny does.

"Equally though, Brian might come and take a few more crosses. It's swings and roundabouts, but it's not as if they don't know Brian and we are just hoping it will be okay for us."

Meanwhile, Cotterill is urging the Turf Moor crowd to raise the volume in three successive home games this week.

Carling Cup opponents Spurs are Tuesday's visitors following today's Ipswich Town clash, with Nottingham Forest arriving in town next weekend to complete another hectic week.

And Cotterill, beset by a catalogue of injury problems, said: "We need the home crowds to be like the 3,500 we had at Leeds the other night.

"They have been understanding of the situation from the word go and appreciate that we have no quick fix.

"The only quick fix we can give is some of the great results we've had this season, but we can't exactly go out and buy an entire team to go with the one we've got to make up the squad.

"It's points we need and the sooner we get to 50 points we can all breathe a sigh of relief because that has always been our target from the opening day of the season."