Grant to play for reserves

Lee Grant is in tonight's reserve team

Manager Brian Laws has decided that some of his players who haven't been involved so far in the first team will get some game time. Along with Grant, Kevin McDonald is expected to play and David Edgar, who will now have to sit out Saturday's clash with Leicester, will also be included.

Laws said: "We've got a big squad of players and those players who have not started or been involved in the first team need some game time, and this game will allow me to blood in a few more of the players.

"Lee hasn't played a lot of football and needs to get some game time so I think it will be good for him. There will be some others as well and we are making sure that those who need the football will get games."

For new goalkeeper Grant it will be a first competitive game for Burnley since he played in goal for the reserves in a 2-0 win against Rochdale at Rossendale United's Dark Lane in January 2006. Just three other players from the team that night are still involved in league football. Wayne Thomas (Doncaster) and Marc Pugh (Bournemouth) started and Jay Rodriguez, who could also feature tonight, was an unused sub.

The game will be played at Stalybridge Celtic's Mottram Road with a 7:00 p.m. kick off.