PAUL Weller is being forced to play the waiting game as he battles to overcome a crippling stomach problem.

The Burnley midfielder is currently sidelined again by the illness that first hit him at the back end of last season and laid him low over the summer.

And his frustration has been increased by the fact that there is no definite timescale for a return to action.

Christmas has been mentioned as a possible comeback date but Weller stressed: "I would like it to be sooner but I have to play it by ear and wait and see how the tablets kick in and see what happens after that. The longer I rest the better it will be for me.

"Hopefully it might just take a month's rest and then a few weeks to get fit and play some reserve games."

Medication and rest has been diagnosed as the best course of action which has meant intermittent visits back into hospital, time back on the South Coast with his family and no social life.

"The condition can be caused by stress so I'm not allowed to do anything and I have to stay away from the club," Weller added. That hasn't stopped him watching Burnley's games but he has missed the day-to-day involvement with his team-mates. "I miss all the laughter and jokes with Glen (Little) and Cookie but I have got that to look forward to," he said.

And Weller is adamant that he will be back. "Definitely. It's just a matter of time. The manager has been really good about it and told me to take all the time I need," he insisted.

The illness represents desperate luck for the 23-year-old midfielder who would probably have been an integral part of Stan Ternent's side by this stage of the campaign after signing a new three-year contract in the summer.

That, at least, is one weight off the player's mind and has given him the peace of mind to concentrate on a return to full fitness.

It took some time for Weller to agree the new deal but within a day of putting pen to paper he was named in the Clarets' side for their Worthington Cup home leg against Bury. "I got through that game on adrenelin because I was so glad to be playing again but in then next game against Walsall I felt tired and weak.

"I was not doing the team any favours so I talked to the manager and he said take time to sort it out," Weller added.

Weller is just one of the absentees Ternent is currently having to manage without but Paul Smith may remove himself from the casualty list with a run-out in the reserves at Barnsley tonight (kick-off 7.00).

"I might be able to give him a half or an hour depending on how he goes in training," said the Burnley boss who has been without the winger for the last three games because of a groin strain.

There may also be another outing for Norwegian goalkeeper Frank Petter Kval who could soon be on the Burnley staff after impressing during a trial spell at Turf Moor.

"He's across and I am hoping to sort something out with him," confirmed Ternent.

The Clarets Independent Supporters' Association are planning a sit-in after the home game against Notts County on October 17 as they step up their protest against the board's handling of the Turf Moor takover.

CISA are also launching a petition signalling their lack of confidence in chairman Frank Teasdale and the current board which will be handed to the directors by association chairman Peter Heywood after the planned 20-minute sit-in. The assocation, which is also boycotting club merchandise until two seats are offered on the board to Ray Ingleby, wants all supporters to join their protest and is encouraging non-regular fans to turn up for the game.

Heywood said: "The planned, peaceful actions show that all Burnley fans are sick and tired of the lack of action being taken by Mr Teasdale and the board of directors, as it is clear to everyone that major investment and new ideas are desperately needed without delay."

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