Source: Team_Talk
Bikey braced for tough start
The former Reading centre-back has signed a three-year contract with the Clarets, who have paid a reported £2.8million for the 24-year-old.
With injuries ruling out captain Steven Caldwell and Michael Duff there is every chance the Cameroon international could make his debut on Wednesday night
The last time Bikey started a match against United was the FA Cup fifth- round replay in February 2007 when Reading found themselves 3-0 down inside six minutes, eventually losing 3-2.
But the centre-back believes Burnley should not fear Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
"It is good. We have to test them. Last year they were champions but this year is a new start," he said.
"It is the same team apart from they have lost one of their best players (Cristiano Ronaldo) so we will see what will happen against them.
"I saw Burnley's first game against Stoke (a 2-0 defeat) and they didn't deserve to lose.
"I think they played better than the score but we will see tonight as it is a different game.
"The most important thing is the mentality. If we play compact we can do something good."
Bikey's last appearance at Turf Moor was memorable for his shirt-hurling antics after being sent off for stamping on Robbie Blake in May's Championship play-off semi-final first leg, having conceded a penalty minutes earlier.
He was banned for five matches as a result but, because of a technicality, that suspension was served in Reading's match against Swansea on Tuesday night.
That incident is not one Bikey cares to remember, although he has already been reminded of it by his new team-mates.
"I knew everyone would try to talk about that but Robbie has been okay in training," he added.
"Sometimes it is very hard when you lose everything in the last 10 minutes (Burnley scored an 86th-minute penalty), especially for a player like me.
"I don't have a lot to say about that. When you are on the pitch everyone wants to win, especially in the play-offs when there is one place for four teams.
"Football is my life. I give everything for football so I just try to forget about it and try to get a new life."
Manager Owen Coyle has to decide whether Bikey, whose ban means he has had a restricted pre-season, is ready to face United.
"You need to be able to compete first and foremost and it does not come much tougher than the champions Manchester United," he said.
"Andre is very much in my thoughts - he has not had much game time because of the suspension he had but he was away on international duty last week and trained with us yesterday.
"He is a physically fit, big lad although match time is completely different.
"It is something we will assess and decide what the best thing for tonight is but he is very much up for the challenge of coming to Burnley.
"We are looking for him to go out and be competitive, get on the ball and pass it from the back.
"He ticks all the boxes we are looking for and I'm excited at the prospect of seeing him in a Burnley shirt."
