Cooke ready for Stockport test

Andy Cooke's future with Burnley looks assured even if the club recruit Ian Moore from Stockport County.

Reports suggesting that Cooke could be used as part of a deal to bring the in-form County striker to the club have been squashed, and he is expected to be in the Clarets squad as usual when, ironically, Stockport visit Turf Moor on Saturday.

Stockport have reportedly turned down a £1.3million bid from the Clarets for Moore and his transfer seems unlikely to go ahead before the weekend.

Cooke, the scorer of three goals so far this season, is in line to retain his place alongside Andy Payton as he goes head-to-head with the County frontman, despite being left out of manager Stan Ternent's side in the 3-2 win at Tranmere last time out.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland international striker Phil Gray is a transfer target for Grimsby.

Gray played under the current Grimsby boss Lennie Lawrence at Luton and is likely to be surplus to requirements once new faces arrive.

But Lawrence is reported to be keen to bring Charlton hotshot Clive Mendonca back to Blundell Park, leaving Gray's future in doubt.

Stockport boss Andy Kilner is expecting a ferocious encounter in the north-west derby at Burnley's Turf Moor headquarters.

The Edgeley Park chief said: "They'll be up for it, but our lads will be up for it - with it being a local derby.

"They have been doing very well, and they are a hard-working side.

"They are a strong team with no real stars, so it'll be a tough game."