STOKE old boy Martin Paterson faces a race against the clock to line up against his old club tomorrow (3pm).

The 23-year-old striker is recovering from an Achilles injury but hopes to play some part in the pre-season run-out, which is taking place at Huddersfield Town's Galpharm Stadium because Burnley's pitch is undergoing maintenance work.

"I was playing against Bury when I pulled up with the injury in the second half," says the Tunstall terrier.

"I've had to do a lot of watching in pre-season because I've just had to rest the Achilles but I did play for 45 minutes behind-closed-doors on Wednesday and came through all right, so I should be involved against Stoke, starting or on the bench.

"The injury was a new one for me. I just think it's the fact we haven't had much rain and so the pitches are hard and there's been a reaction for me."

Paterson remains confident Burnley will shake off their relegation hangover in time for the big kick-off back in the Championship next Saturday, following that one-year taste of the big time.

"I think we will," he says thoughtfully. "It's not easy to accept you're not going to be playing in the top league, and I suppose a few of us have been feeling the effects of that.

"But I'm sure that by the time the first game against Nottingham Forest comes around, our heads will be right.

"And we've got a great chance of promotion – if we work and perform as well as we can – because we've got the players to be pushing on."

However, relegation has cost Burnley the services of striker Steven Fletcher, pictured, and mercurial veteran Robbie Blake, while winger Chris Eagles is also being tipped for a move by the end of the transfer window.

New arrivals include former Stoke favourite Chris Iwelumo for what could be the start of a bountiful relationship with his old sparring partner from the Potteries.

"Fletcher and Blake are both big losses," Paterson concedes, "but I wouldn't say it takes away a lot of goals. Fletcher was always going to be sold anyway because he had that bit of class in the Premier League."

Paterson's own impact on the top flight last season was hindered, but far from ruined, by a long-term knee injury.

"I played the first five games and felt I did well up front," he reflects. "I didn't score, but hit the post a couple of times and felt that if I'd got one, a couple more would have followed.

"Then I did my knee and needed to have the cartilage repaired. I was out for four months and when I did return, I was coming off with the knee the size of a melon after my first few games back because of the swelling.

"I felt I had two mediocre games, but I thought I did well in the rest after being put out on the right-hand side.

"I scored four from there and that might be the position I play again this season."