Laws backs Burnley to fire

Clarets boss confident they have goal threat to beat the drop

By Ben Collins   Last updated: 11th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Laws backs Burnley to fire

Laws: Keeping the faith

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Brian Laws is confident Burnley have the firepower to upset the odds and secure Premier League survival.

David Nugent secured a 1-1 draw with Stoke on Wednesday with his sixth goal in 12 league starts this season and his third in five games for the Premier League newcomers.

The on-loan Portsmouth striker headed home from a cross by Northern Ireland international Martin Paterson, who himself has scored two in the last four games.

The Clarets were unable to get the victory which would have lifted them out of the relegation zone, but they can do so by winning at home against relegation rivals Wolves on Saturday.

Belief

Top scorer Steven Fletcher could be fit after suffering a broken hand and with Robbie Blake and Steven Thompson also amongst Laws' attacking options, the Burnley boss strongly believes they can beat the drop.

"Nugent's in good form, as is Paterson, and that gives you great belief," he said.

"We have goals in us - we just have to keep it tight at the back.

"Nugent's goal was terrific, it was a great ball in by Paterson. It set the tone and I am disappointed we didn't go on and win the game.

"Everyone expects Burnley not to be in the Premier League next year but we believe it."

Fletcher has missed Burnley's last two matches after breaking his hand while on international duty with Scotland.

Quality

The Clarets' 11-goal top scorer just missed out on being available for Wednesday's game but could return in Saturday's relegation six-pointer.

Asked if he would put Fletcher straight back into the starting line-up should he be fully fit, Laws said: "Absolutely, there are no secrets there. He's a quality player and you do not leave quality out.

"He just missed out on Wednesday, but another couple of days under his belt on the training ground might give him a great chance for Saturday, for sure.

"He's a great player for us and we're better for him in the team than out of it."