Laws takes stock

The Clarets take on Preston North End at Turf Moor (kick-off 5-15 p.m.) in front of the BBC cameras, in the first game of a hectic period.

The side will play seven games in 21 days as the Championship becomes Saturday, Tuesday - with the added interest of a Carling Cup tie with Bolton and all that entails thrown in for good measure.

But while Laws is without his international players this week, he is taking stock of a start to the season which has seen two wins, a draw and a defeat in the league, and a cup win at Morecambe.

The science of the game is being applied, with physical tests undertaken, and Laws explained: “We are testing the players this week to see where we are in terms of the physical condition, and whether we are happy with the way things are.

“We will be reviewing our season so far, and that’s not just about the results.

“We are also looking at the physical aspects of how the players are performing and where we need to improve and integrate that into our next period, which is a block of seven games in 21 days.”

Laws added: “That spell will be a real test of character and of our squad because it will certainly be stretched.

“We need to make sure the players are ready and physically and mentally able to cope with that.”

Laws kept his squad together after the closing of the transfer window - keeping the nucleus of the side that played in the Premier League, warding off interest in the likes of Chris Eagles and Andre Bikey, with his only sale being a club record deal that saw Steven Fletcher move to Wolves.

And he hopes to have a strong squad available for a testing run of games, which starts with the visit of Lancashire rivals Preston.

Chris Iwelumo is awaiting the outcome of a scan on a hamstring strain that has forced him out of Scotland’s double header, while former North End man Tyrone Mears will miss the game due to a one-match ban incurred by his sending off at Swansea on Saturday.

But Michael Duff is closing in on a return to full fitness having picked up a calf problem on the opening day against Nottingham Forest, while Laws will have his fingers crossed that Andre Bikey, Martin Paterson and Jack Cork all return unscathed from international duty.

l Burnley’s Carling Cup third round tie at home to Bolton Wanderers will take place on Tuesday, September 21st (kick-off 7-45 p.m.).

The game has not been selected for live TV coverage.

Ticket prices for this game are as follows: Adults £15; Senior Citizens, U16s and students £10.

Tickets are go on sale to season ticket holders, Foundation members and members.

Existing seats can be secured until close of business on Thursday.

This can be done via Ticketzone, the Turf Moor ticket office or by post.

All remaining tickets will go on general sale from Friday, September 10th.