SHARPSHOOTER Ian Rush is on a mission to gun-down the Clarets when Wrexham arrive in town on Saturday for a Nationwide League Division Two showdown.

The former King of the Kop has been out for 10 games after key-hole surgery on a knee injury but made his comeback in an FAW Cup tie against Swansea on Tuesday night.

Wrexham boss Brian Flynn has confirmed Rush will play a part at Turf Moor and has warned his new player coach cannot wait to be unleashed on Stan Ternent's men.

"He has come in as our player-coach and has had a tremendous influence," said Flynn.

"On the playing side he has been a little bit frustrated due to the amount of games he has missed.

"But he came back on Tuesday night and looked very fit, very sharp and very hungry."

The Welshman have failed to score in any of their last four matches but the return of the former Anfield ace is sure to give them a much needed boost up front.

Rush bagged 229 goals in two stints at Liverpool, and although he has had a lean time of it since in spells at Leeds, Newcastle and Sheffield United on loan, the wily 37-year-old is still likely to be a handful.

Meanwhile, Burnley boss Stan Ternent has problems in attack ahead of Saturday's crunch clash.

With Andy Cooke forced to sit the game out through suspension, Ternent faces the dilemma of deciding who to pick to partner Andy Payton in the forward line.

Kevin Henderson did his chances no harm with an impressive display as a second half sub in the reserves 0-0 draw with Grimsby last night.

And Icelandic trialist Villie Lehtinen strengthened his case for a permanent deal, and a possible role at the weekend, with an eye-catching performance.

But Colin Carr-Lawton may be a more likely option after featuring on the bench for much of the season.

Significantly, he was withdrawn during the second half last night.

Other options open to Ternent could include switching Phil Eastwood from the left midfield role he filled against Macclesfield last week.

Or the in-form Glen Little, who bagged a wonder goal against the Silkmen, could also do a job down the middle. On the injury front, club captain Chris Brass and Steve Morgan made their comebacks last night, both playing a full 90 minutes against the Mariners.

And Ternent has not ruled out the possibility that they may be in contention for places against Wrexham.

"Both of them came through well last night," said the Burnley chief.

"We'll just have to see how they are over the next few days but the way things are they could come into things out of necessity."

Peter Swan is still trying to shake off a niggling calf strain and faces a race against time to be fit for the weekend.

Gordon Armstrong is having treatment on a groin injury and Matt Heywood is struggling to get over a bout of 'flu.

Paul Smith and Mark Robertson have had the results of scans on the knee injuries they picked up against Oldham recently.

Smith has been put on a step-programme in an effort to build up his leg and could be out for two weeks.

And the specialist wants another consultation with physio Paul Lake before deciding what course of action to take with Robertson.

"With all the injury problems we have got at present I haven't had time to think about my options yet up front," said Ternent.

"Lehtinen did okay for the reserves and we will be keeping tabs on him.

"But I'm more concerned with the first team for Saturday to be honest."

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