"WHOEVER wins, I can't lose".

Those are the feelings of Ralph Coates ahead of a Tuesday's Carling Cup clash between the two clubs he holds so dear.

The former England winger last visited Turf Moor exactly two years ago tomorrow, when the Clarets beat Spurs 2-1 in the third round of the same competition.

Next Tuesday, he will once again be introduced to the fans of both teams he graced during eight years at Burnley and seven at White Hart Lane.

And Coates, now 58, only hopes this fourth round tie proves as electric as the last meeting.

He said: "I'm sure it's going to be another close encounter and it could even go to penalties.

"Burnley deserved their victory two years ago and, although the Spurs side will be totally different, I'm sure all their fans remember that defeat.

"It's the classic big city club against the town team with a proud history and whoever wins, I can't really lose."

Coates blasted onto the scene 40 years ago as the latest in a seemingly endless stream of talented youngsters arriving at Turf Moor from the north east.

He grew to become a versatile player whose boundless energy and whole-hearted approach made him a huge favourite on the terraces.

European football and four England caps followed, with the Burnley team memorably forming a guard of honour in 1970 following his inclusion in the squad for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico.

"I remember that day well," Coates laughed. "The manager Jimmy Adamson pulled me back just as we were going out to play and said 'make sure you get involved in the game'.

"I always felt I did that, so I suspected something was going on, but it was a lovely gesture by the lads and one I still cherish.

"I loved my time at Burnley and, if Spurs hadn't come in with a £190,000 record transfer fee, I probably would have stayed.

"But Burnley always had to sell players to survive and I accepted it was my turn."

Coates joined Spurs under legendary manager Bill Nicholson, whose death shocked the world of football two weeks ago.

"Bill was a true gentleman," insisted Coates, who attended his cremation earlier this week.

"He and the Burnley manager, Harry Potts, were I suppose the Wenger and Ferguson of their era as the two biggest names around.

"They both had the same philosophies on how the game should be played and that is something both clubs have had ever since."