BURNLEY'S troops are nearing full strength after a number of injury-hit first team players came through last night's reserve match unscathed.

Clarets boss Stan Ternent saw Lee Briscoe get almost an hour's match action under his belt after recovering from a groin strain, while Andy Payton and Gordon Armstrong managed the full 90 minutes to alleviate the club's recent injury woes.

And the impressive performances of loan signing Drissa Diallo and triallist Amandou Sanokha could also give Ternent further options going into this weekend's trip to Crystal Palace.

Diallo partnered Ian Cox at the heart of defence and started where he had left off on Saturday with a number of meaty challenges, while midfielder Sanokha displayed some neat footwork, keeping the ball tight to his feet as he went on jinking runs.

The 23-year-old Frenchman, a central midfielder who has played for Nantes and Modena, had to be replaced at the start of the second half after being accidentally kicked in the face by Keith Andrews as he stooped to head the ball just before the break.

The Clarets were able to field a strong side and dominated the first half for long periods, although James Salisbury was forced into the first save of the match as Wolves wide man Kevin Cooper burst through on goal.

Anthony Shandran and Payton looked lively up front and Payton was unlucky not to get his head onto Briscoe's curling free kick from the right before seeing his right-foot drive saved by Michael Oakes.

But Wolves took the lead seconds after the second half kicked off following Armstrong's foul on Marc Edworthy on the right flank. Edworthy recovered to whip his free kick over to the far post and Ivar Ingimarsson thumped a header goalwards. Goalkeeper James Salisbury got a hand to the ball but it wasn't enough to keep it out.

The Clarets almost equalised two minutes later when Matt O'Neill took a throw-in quickly midway inside the Wolves half. Shandran ran onto the loose ball but Wolves stopper Oakes came out bravely to block his shot.

Cox then made a surging run through midfield and released Payton, who struck the ball first time but saw his effort flash wide of the right hand post.

But Wolves doubled their lead on 72 minutes when Adam Proudlock steered the ball past James Salisbury from Graham Ward's corner.

Armstrong, who switched to midfield after Briscoe was replaced by Paul Scott, almost pulled a goal back for the home side four minutes from time but headed over from close range.

BURNLEY: James Salisbury, Andrew Leeson, Gordon Armstrong, Ian Cox, Drissa Diallo (Earl Davis 59), Lee Briscoe (Paul Scott 59), Mark Rasmussen, Amandou Sanokha (Andrew Waine 46), Andy Payton, Anthony Shandran, Matthew O'Neill. Subs not used: Joel Pilkington, Damien Hindle.

WOLVES: Michael Oakes, Marc Edworthy, Chris Slater, Keith Andrews, Ludo Pollet (Gary Clingan 10), Mark Clyde, Kevin Cooper (Jimmy Lee Jones 46), Michael Branch, Adam Proudlock, Ivar Ingimarsson, Graham Ward. Subs not used: Kevin O'Connor, Mark McChrystal, Lewis Solly.

BURNLEY RESERVES...0

WOLVES RESERVES...2