Division Two: Chesterfield v Burnley - big match preview

RONNIE Jepson may have to settle for a place back on the bench at Chesterfield tomorrow as Andy Payton returns to the Clarets attack.

But there will be no sulking from the big striker who looks ready to give a command performance in his supporting role this season.

"I am not here to push Andy Payton out. I am too long in the tooth for any of those games," said Jepson who deputised for the opening day's goalscoring hero at Bury in the Worthington Cup on Tuesday night.

"I am here to do my best for Burnley. I have got a 12-month contract and if I come in when 'Payts' is injured, like he was on Tuesday, then I will come in and give 110 per cent to the cause.

"I am not here to nick anybody's shirt but if the gaffer wants to play me any time I will always be ready and willing.

"And I am sure there will be times this season when he has sorted things out at the back when he will play three up front like he did at Bury at different stages."

Jepson, signed for nothing after leaving Oldham this summer, isn't at Turf Moor just to make up the numbers.

Even if he has to bide his time for an extended run in the side he is likely to figure prominently as a substitute and Tuesday night's performance showed he will keep the first-choice pairing of Payton and Cooke on their toes. There's undoubtedly a mutual respect among the senior strikers Stan Ternent has at his disposal.

And that bodes well for the season ahead when injuries and suspensions are likely to mean some changes in personnel and if the Burnley boss does opt for a three-pronged strikeforce.

Jepson has certainly been fullsome in his praise of Andy Cooke who heads for Saltergate aiming to do what no Burnley striker managed against the Spireites last season - find the target.

"I said to him after Saturday that if anyone deserved a goal he did," added the former Bury and Preston front man, who saw his younger sidekick get his reward with the equaliser at Gigg Lane on Tuesday night.

"That was all down to Cookie. A lot of players would have given up there but he kept going and kept working like he does.

"He's a revelation to play with and watch. He's a bit of a throw-back. It was just his attitude that got him that goal, plus his class finishing," Jepson added. Chesterfield have a reputation as a dour side, who give little away on their way to grinding out results. Last season they conceded just 44 goals compared to Burnley's 65 but scored just 46 themselves.

That suggests it won't be a game for the faint-hearted and Burnley must therefore repeat the second half performance they gave at Bury rather than the first.

"The lads didn't have the best of seasons last year and I am sure they understand the gaffer's new ways. He wants strong people, strong characters and he wants them to go out and enjoy themselves," added Jepson, who is yet to score for his new club but does have that hat-trick of attributes to his name.

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