JON Harley may figure against Birmingham tomorrow after scans revealed his foot was not broken.

There were initial concerns that Burnley's left-back was in line for a spell on the sidelines after limping off the pitch during last Saturday's 3-0 defeat at West Brom.

It was feared Harley had suffered a repeat of an injury during his time at Sheffield United three seasons ago, when a cracked bone in his foot ruled him out of action for two months.

But Clarets manager Steve Cotterill has revealed that Harley's injury proved to be no more than severe bruising following detailed scans.

And after making good progress during the week, last season's Player of the Year could now feature against the Blues at Turf Moor.

"His foot isn't broken which is a massive bonus to us," said Cotterill. "That is a big blessing for us.

"Jon was in a fair bit of pain over the weekend, but it has got better as the week has gone on. How much better is only a matter of time.

"I would not bet against him not being out there at the weekend because whilst he is not the biggest lad, he's a tough boy and he's game.

"Our fingers are crossed for that one. We don't know if he will be fully ready until Friday or Saturday."

The former Chelsea and Fulham defender has missed just one Burnley game - due to suspension - since arriving at Turf Moor from Sheffield United in August 2005.

Cotterill added: "He is a tough lad and he's played very well and on the back of it he was our Player of the Year last year.

"He's a really good character. There's a lot of good characters here and he's certainly one of them."

While Harley may yet get his chance in tomorrow's Championship clash, in which Burnley are looking to end a run of two straight defeats, fellow defender John McGreal is unlikely to figure and Frank Sinclair is suspended following his red card at The Hawthorns.

Veteran McGreal is working his way back from a medial knee ligament injury, sustained in the 0-0 draw against Southend in October.

"John is just progressing, but he's better," added Cotterill.

"As I said before, when he tweaked it earlier in the season, he came back with it.

"Those medial ligaments are always a problem. They do come back and re-surface. It's just a time one and John getting his confidence back in it, to be twisting and turning.

"We are pleased that he's come quite a long way through that tunnel and should be available soon.

"You wouldn't really want your back four decimated. We are without Frank but we knew that the minute he was going to be booked.

"We prepared to not have Frank sooner or later anyway because he was on four bookings.

"But we will be alright, we will be okay. We'll get a team out there that will give it their all."

The Clarets can move above third-placed Blues with victory, but Cotterill reckons the challenge from Steve Bruce's side will prove a tough one.

He added: "We've got a mammoth game ahead of us against Birmingham. It's fantastic how their season has turned around for them.

"I'm delighted for Steve Bruce because he's one of the good guys in the game.

"Birmingham are an excellent club and it's going to be a real tough game."