Soccer FA Cup/ Burnley v Liverpool: As his Burnley team-mates rested yesterday ahead of this evening's visit of Liverpool, James O'Connor learned at training yesterday he will be forced to sit out tonight's match because West Brom, who loaned him to Burnley a couple of months into the season, have refused him permission to play.
Nobody from either club has said much to the Dubliner about the situation, he admits, but the assumption is Bryan Robson, who will have the midfielder back at the Hawthorns after his loan spell expires at the weekend, does not want the 25-year-old cup tied. That suggests the former Irish under-21 international might feature in Robson's plans for the club he left when it became clear he had little chances of making Gary Megson's starting XI.
"Obviously I was disappointed at the start of the season I didn't get a chance," he says. "I had a pretty good pre-season and when we came back I was very positive about things but then after a good few games on the bench when I didn't seem to be getting off it I started to have second thoughts.
"By the time the opportunity to come here and play first-team football for Steve Cotterill, it seemed like the best thing for everybody concerned. Now I'm hopeful I'll get the chance to prove myself. That's all I've ever asked really."
O'Connor has won widespread praise since arriving at Burnley in late October. His strong form in 12 appearances have helped them climb the Championship table to where victories in their games in hand would take them into the play-off places. "The time here has been great," he says. "I worked with Cotterill at Stoke and he's a very good manager. I've got to play a lot of football and I think I've learned a good deal from the lads around me."
Robson's decision carries the implication he might be involved against Tottenham on Saturday week and is the firmest indication yet Robson rates him. "I haven't talked to him since he took over," says O'Connor, "but Nigel Pearson (Robson's assistant) was on and had a bit of a chat with me. Really he just said that we'd see how it goes which is fine. I'm not sure whether anybody has been over to see me play since."
Premiership experience would also, he hopes, revive his hopes of a senior international call-up although there has been little suggestion from Brian Kerr to date that O'Connor features in even his long-term plans.
"I haven't heard from Mr Kerr in years," he says. "And even when I played for his underage teams it was almost always as a substitute so I don't know. He hasn't even been along to see me play as far as I know which is disappointing."
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has thrown his support behind goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek though he still hopes to sign the England under-21 international Scott Carson from Leeds United this month. Benitez said the Polish international will play at Burnley tonight.
Dudek's howler against Manchester United on Saturday gave Wayne Rooney the winning goal and the mistake has highlighted the lack of goalkeeping cover open to Benitez, with Chris Kirkland injured until March.
"Carson is our first option," said the Liverpool manager, who will have competition from Chelsea. Both clubs have offered an £500,000, but Leeds are demanding more money up front.
Captain Steven Gerrard and a string of senior team-mates will be rested tonight.
With the likes of Djibril Cisse, Harry Kewell, Xabi Alonso, Josemi, Kirkland and Steve Finnan all out injured, Benitez is forced to turn to the same youngsters who have taken Liverpool into the League Cup semi-finals. He is also without new signings Fernando Morientes and Mauricio Pellegrino who were not registered in time.
Turf Moor, 7.45; On TV: Sky Sports 2
