Leon Cort should be fit to face Aston Villa on Sunday but the televised trip to the Midlands could come too soon for Graham Alexander and Chris McCann.

Cort limped out of Burnley's 3-0 defeat at Fulham last Tuesday night with a groin strain.

But the central defender has resumed full training and manager Brian Laws expects to be able to select his recent signing at Villa Park (kick-off 2pm) as the Clarets seek that elusive first away win.

"Cort should be okay, which is a relief," said Laws.

"He has trained well over the last couple of days and if he gets through today we will be delighted to say that he has fully recovered."

Midfield general Alexander is back in light training as he recovers from a calf strain sustained at Bolton at the end of last month but won't be rushed back as Laws keeps half an eye on the crucial end-of-season run-in.

"We could do with his experience and knowledge and he's a player we want to get back as quickly as possible," said the gaffer.

"But he has been out a quite a while and we have to make sure we don't throw him back in and he falls apart.

Graham Alexander is heading back to fitness

"There's a lot of testing to be done but to see him on the training ground is a real positive and that's credit to the medical team.

"They are working 24/7 to get these lads in shape to try and give us every tool we have at this club available to us to get a win."

Meanwhile, McCann is continuing his road to a full recovery from a knee problem.

The midfielder played 45 minutes of a training game in Portugal a week ago but will not be thrown straight back into the fray.

"I'm still not 100 per cent in terms of whether he's ready to start. He's close but I think he needs a little bit more time," Laws added.