TRANSFER target Frank Petter Kval will win an instant call-up to the Burnley squad for tomorrow's clash with Wigan provided he agreed terms with Clarets' boss Stan Ternent today, writes PETE OLIVER.

Ternent is keen to recruit the Norwegian goalkeeper who he feels has shown plenty of potential during a trial spell.

And he was looking to tie up the loose ends of a deal today to allow Kval to join the squad for Wigan's visit to Turf Moor.

"If I get that sorted out I will put him in the squad as cover for Gavin Ward," confirmed Ternent.

That will be the start of a learning curve in English football for the 24-year-old who will shortly be out of contract with Norwegian club Brann Bergen.

Kval played for the Clarets' reserves again last night in their 2-0 defeat at Barnsley where he was joined by winger Paul Smith who has been out of first-team contention for three games with a groin injury.

Smith has also been named in the squad for tomorrow's game and is set to play a more leading role than Kval barring any reaction to last night's 60-minute run-out.

There could even be a starting slot for Smith who played the first eight games of the season but didn't capture the sparkle that marked him out as one of the division's most exciting young players before injury blighted his progress last term.

If Smith returns on the left flank, Mark Robertson would be free to return to a central berth with Chris Brass dropping back to his favoured defensive position in place of the suspended Peter Swan.

But that would give Ternent a very youthful midfield pairing of Robertson and Carl Smith - although they played well against Millwall -and Ternent has other options open to him despite a depleted squad.

Teenager Matt Heywood didn't play in the reserves last night which could mark him out as a contender to replace Swan, while Gordon Armstrong could also plug the gap effectively. That would leave the left-back position to fill, however, and with David Lee a big threat on Wigan's right wing Ternent might prefer to have Armstrong keeping an eye on him.

Whichever way he looks at it, Ternent will be relying on some of his young players again as Burnley bid to end their Wigan jinx, having lost eight of their last nine games against the Latics.

"Until I am in a position to do anything about it I am happy to go with the kids. They are learning from it. They are becoming men earlier than I would have anticipated but I know they won't let me or the supporters down.

"They play from the heart and that's important," said Ternent.

He added: "We have got a horrendous record against Wigan apparently but there is a first time for everything and I am hoping tomorrow is the day we beat them."

The Clarets have gone four games since their last win - three of which have been away from home - and could do with maximum points against a Wigan side two places above them in 17th place.

But Ternent is unperturbed. "You really need a win every week. Things like that don't bother me," he insisted.

Wigan are another of the Second Division clubs able to wield the cheque book thanks to the backing of sports clothing magnate Dave Whelan and will include recent £200,000 buy from Charlton, defender Stuart Balmer.

"Spending cash does not make you a good side, it just gives you the facility to back your judgement with what you consider to be better players," added Ternent who nevertheless would doubtless like that option open to him.

Burnley from: Ward, Scott, Armstrong, Brass, Heywood, Reid, Little, Robertson, Cooke, Payton, C Smith, P Smith, Carr-Lawton, Graham, Henderson, Kval.

Wigan from: Carroll, Green, Jenkinson, McGibbon, Balmer, Rogers, Lee, Greenall, Lowe, O'Neill, Barlow, Smeats, Porter, Martinez, Rheade, Nixon.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.