ENGLISH football was set to move a step closer towards strike action today when the result of a ballot of players was revealed.

And Burnley's players could find themselves in the heat of the battle as their scheduled trip to Preston North End is rumoured to be on the first weekend to be targeted.

The Clarets travel to Deepdale on December 9 but PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor has insisted that the suggestions that action will start then is "just speculation".

The Clarets PFA representative Steve Davis has always given his personal backing to the union and he expects the majority of his team mates to have done the same. If, as expected, the vote goes in favour of action they may be in the firing line within a matter of weeks.

The Professional Footballers' Association's ballot was due to close at noon, with the result revealed later this afternoon, and more than 90% of their 3,500 members are expected to back industrial action in the dispute over television money.

Taylor said: "We are not going to make any decision regarding industrial action until we have the result of the ballot.

"But from my meetings with players over the last few weeks I remain confident we will receive backing for industrial action."

The PFA have held strike ballots twice before in the last 10 years, in 1992 and 1996, and on both occasions received more than 90% backing.

The same result is expected again, but the Premier League remain hopeful they will be able to agree a compromise with the union next week.

England captain David Beckham yesterday insisted he would follow whatever decision the PFA made.

He said: "I am prepared to do whatever everyone is doing. I know the decision is coming up and we will have to wait and see.

"But I will back what the players are doing. I did vote, but it was a private vote."

If the PFA press ahead with industrial action, they will have to do so within a month of the ballot, having given the clubs a week's notice.

Taylor has not had any negotiations with the Premier League over the last week, but will feel in a stronger position with the ballot behind him.

The Premier League will not take any immediate action after the ballot is announced, but if they fail to agree an acceptable deal next week and the PFA press ahead with a strike then they will take out an injunction to prevent the action going ahead.

The matter will then go to the High Court where a judge will decide whether such a strike is legitimate.

It is not clear whether a strike would affect specific televised matches or all league games, as all are filmed for television.

The PFA's last deal was for 5%, and they are seeking the same figure again to fund their welfare and education programmes - around £25million from the Premier League and £6million each from the FA and Football League.

The Premier League originally offered between £8million and £9million, though it is understood the latest offer on the table is for 2.5% of 'disposable TV income' - which would work out at around £10million.