Burnley 1 - 0 Sheffield United

Burnley v Sheffield United: Preview

Updated: May 24, 2009, 6:40 PM UK

Burnley manager Owen Coyle will choose from a full-strength squad in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final against Sheffield United.

The Clarets have no injury or suspension concerns as they bid to return to the top flight for the first time in 33 years.

Coyle must decide whether to include former Manchester United winger Chris Eagles in the starting line-up after he was only a substitute in the 2-0 win at Reading in the play-off semi-final second leg.

Coyle may opt to play Martin Paterson as a lone striker, but Steven Thompson will hope to keep his place after both men scored stunning goals at the Madejski Stadium.

The Clarets have prepared for the winner-takes-all clash by spending a three-day training camp in Portugal.

Burnley striker Thompson has hailed Coyle's special relationship with his players as the secret to the club's success.

The Clarets face Sheffield United in the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final tomorrow as they aim to return to the top flight for the first time in 33 years.

Coyle has earned admiration throughout the country after his side bundled Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal out of the Carling Cup and came agonisingly close to overcoming Tottenham in an epic semi-final encounter.

Yet the former Bolton striker's most ardent supporters can be found within Turf Moor.

"It's very rare that you get a manager that every single player at the club likes,'' said Thompson, a free transfer signing from Cardiff last September.

"But I think that's the case here.

"He's friends with all of us and we all get on very well with him.

"I think that's been the key to our success this season.

"The manager is an infectious person to be around, very bubbly, and he also knows a thing or two about football.''

Sheffield United have injury concerns over three players.

Striker Darius Henderson and on-loan midfielder John-Joe O'Toole are both struggling with Achilles problems and face a race against time to recover to face Owen Coyle's side.

Former Chesterfield striker Jamie Ward is also rated as doubtful with a hamstring injury.

All three missed the Blades' victory over Preston in the second leg of the semi-final at Bramall Lane and Blades boss Kevin Blackwell will give them until the last minute to prove their fitness.

Blackwell is likely to persist with playing on-loan full-back Greg Halford as an emergency striker following his match-winning goal against Preston last time out.

Sheffield United defender Matt Kilgallon is ready to set the record straight in tomorrow's Coca-Cola Championship play-off final against Burnley at Wembley.

Kilgallon was in Blades' manager Kevin Blackwell's Leeds side that surrendered meekly to Watford at the Millennium Stadium in the 2006 final and plans to use that "horrible feeling'' afterwards to inspire success this time around.

The 25-year-old feels both he and Blackwell are now better equipped to reach the Barclays Premier League via the end-of-season play-offs at the second attempt.

Blackwell took his squad to a training camp at La Manga in Spain following their semi-final triumph over Preston and Kilgallon senses this time he has got the build-up just right.

He said: "It's been different. We didn't go away on a trip last time and the training's been different.

"I can't remember exactly how we did it at Leeds. It's all of a blur up to the game, but it was a horrible feeling to lose.

"But it feels better this time. We've got a lot of experience in the team and a lot who have been in these situations before, so it should help.

"There's going to be a big crowd and those who've been before will be used to that, but you can never read too much into these sorts of days.''

Blackwell was coach under Neil Warnock when the Blades lost 3-0 to Wolves in the 2003 Championship play-off final.

United also lost out to Crystal Palace at the old Wembley in 1997, while Kilgallon's team-mate Darius Henderson, doubtful with hamstring and Achilles injuries, scored a late penalty for Watford in their triumph over Leeds.

Kilgallon said: "To be fair me and Darius have not spoken too much about it. It's in the past. There's been a bit of banter, but we're just hoping he can get fit.''