Clarets without Austin's powers
Burnley expect to be without top scorer Charlie Austin once more when they host npower Championship high-flyers Crystal Palace.
The 23-goal striker has not featured since suffering a hamstring injury in the 1-0 defeat to Leicester at the end of last month and remains very doubtful along with fellow forward Martin Paterson, who has a similar complaint.
Chris McCann, another hamstring victim, is pushing for a return but defender Ben Mee (knee) remains on the sidelines.
"Charlie is touch and go, probably not. Pato is touch and go, probably not - they are the main two," said boss Sean Dyche on the Clarets' official website.
"Macca has got a very good chance. He has trained on Thursday so we are hoping there is no reaction to that."
McCann's fellow midfielder Brian Stock is suspended following his red card during last weekend's FA Cup defeat to Barnsley.
Centre-back Michael Duff is set to retain his starting place after his late withdrawal at Oakwell was attributed to cramp.
Crystal Palace will check on Wilfried Zaha and Glenn Murray.
Winger Zaha, a transfer target for a host of top clubs this month, limped out of last weekend's FA Cup draw against Stoke after taking a nasty whack on the ankle.
Striker Murray, the Championship's top scorer this season with 22 goals, missed the third-round tie through illness.
Manchester City forward Alex Nimely will travel with the squad after joining on loan until the end of the season, while Julian Speroni will return in goal after he was rested against the Potters.
Danny Gabbidon is a doubt with a hamstring problem, fellow defender Paddy McCarthy remains sidelined by a long-term groin injury and midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi is on African Nations Cup duty in South Africa.
Source: PA
