Graham Alexander could return to action against Portsmouth on Saturday to hand the Clarets a major boost in their survival fight
Alexander has missed the last four games with a calf strain but is closing in on welcome re-call against the bottom club at Turf Moor.
"Grezza has got a great chance. He's been working extremely hard over the last week, he has been training with us consistently and he's an important player," confirmed manager Brian Laws.
"He will certainly come into my thoughts, particularly for this weekend, because it doesn't matter about his age, it's about his organisation and his communication and his composure that we could do with.
"The sooner we get him back in the team the better so he will certainly be coming into my thoughts, along with the likes of Martin Paterson as well."
Player-coach Alexander would bring a calming influence to the Clarets' midfield in a game the Clarets are determined to win as they launch a run of three home games from their next four fixtures.
And Paterson is pressing for a first start since September with on-loan striker David Nugent unable to play against his parent club.
Martin Paterson is pushing for a starting place
"He's come back from a long-term injury and has steadily made good progress and has got himself a goal," added Laws, who knows three points against Pompey will lift his side out of the bottom three.
"People might not think the second goal last weekend was important. It was to one individual and that was Paterson because it got him his first goal in the Premier League.
"And we know what Pato is like. He doesn't score one every ten, when he scores one he seems to score two, three and four straight after.
"He is certainly in my thoughts and with Nugent not available to play against his current club he has to come into the equation."
Clarke Carlisle will also be fit to face troubled Pompey, who could go into the game with a nine-point deduction if they move into administration to stave off a winding up order next week, after recovering from a toe injury.
But Chris McCann will again miss out as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
"I don't think he will be ready for Saturday," said Laws.
"Chris is more than likely to be starting in the reserves.
"We've got two games next week and he will definitely take part in one of those."
