Coyle thinks the motivation is there for Burnley to excel

ENGLISH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF FINAL: Burnley v Sheffield Utd: BURNLEY MANAGER Owen Coyle believes his players have every…

ENGLISH LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF FINAL: Burnley v Sheffield Utd:BURNLEY MANAGER Owen Coyle believes his players have every reason to drive for success against Sheffield United in today's Championship play-off final.

The Clarets are looking for a triumphant return to the top flight for the first time in 33 years.

“We have got an opportunity to go into the Premier League, and play in the best league in the world, with the best players in the world,” Coyle said. “If that doesn’t motivate the players I don’t know what will.”

Burnley will be at full strength at Wembley for their 61st and final game of the season, with their players having spent a few days preparing in Portugal.

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The success at Turf Moor this season is all the more remarkable considering it has been built on a shoestring budget and with one of the smallest squads in the Championship. Coyle, who arrived in November 2007 from St Johnstone, has used only 23 players throughout the whole campaign.

“We have shown that you can build a team and put a side out without having the finances that some of the bigger clubs have,” The former Republic of Ireland international said. “I need the players to go and give the same performances that they have done for the rest of the season.”

United manager Kevin Blackwell by contrast has a few injury concerns with doubts over Darius Henderson (Achilles), Jamie Ward (hamstring) and John-Joe O’Toole (ankle). All three players are to have fitness tests this morning, while Greg Halford has already been passed fit.

Despite his side finishing third in the Championship, four points ahead of fifth-placed Burnley, Blackwell feels the opposition are favourites. “I think Burnley have got more experience, they’ve done well in the big games this season and they’ve beaten us twice. In my mind that makes them favourites,” he said.