OLD radar boots is back - and he's gunning for Bristol Rovers at Turf Moor tomorrow.

Steve Thompson returns from the wilderness to take his place in the Clarets midfield department for the first time since September.

And with skipper Nigel Gleghorn ruled out for at least a month, Thompson is poised to grasp his golden opportunity.

Thompson, rated as the best passer of the ball in Division Two, said: "I've waited such a long time for this opportunity and I intend to try and make the most of it.

"I've a lot of confidence in my own ability and I know I can still do a big job for Burnley.

"The last few months have proved very difficult. I've had to sit it out and watch things going on around me.

"I've only played a handful of games this season but I can promise the Burnley fans that I will give everything I've got."

Manager Adrian Heath confirmed: "Steve Thompson is back in the team and I'm hoping that he'll take the opportunity the same way Peter Swan did when he returned to the side. "But Steve knows there is a big chance for him now because of the injury to Nigel Gleghorn.

"Steve had made his feelings known to me that he should be in the side. Now is the time for him to show everybody what he can do."

The Clarets have won just once in their last nine league and cup games. And Heath knows that Burnley badly need a victory to bounce back into the play-off picture.

He added: "We've got everything to play for. There are 14 games left and we are still in with a great chance of promotion. But it is getting to the stage that we cannot afford any more mistakes, certainly at home. In fact, we've got to be looking at taking maximum points from our remaining home six games and then winning a few away.

"It is a tough task, but while it is still mathematically possible for us to get in the play-offs then we will give it everything."

Burnley will not get a better opportunity against a Rovers side struggling at the foot of the table and without an away win since a 1-0 success at Plymouth in September.

The injury situation has improved for Heath, though, with striker Andy Cooke and winger Glen Little both in with a chance of inclusion tomorrow.

But Paul Smith is still struggling to shake off a knee injury and it appears unlikely he will play a part.

Burnley from: Beresford, Parkinson, Eyres, Winstanley, Swan, Brass, Matthew, Thompson, Weller, Barnes, Nogan, Robinson, Little, Cooke.

Bristol Rovers from: Collett, Pritchard, Lockwood, Skinner, White, Tillson, Holloway, Miller, Cureton, Archer, Alsop, Hayfield, Martin, Hayfield.

The B team entertain Wigan Athletic at Gawthorpe tomorrow (11am). The A team are at Everton.

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