WHAT an honour for Richard Chaplow. Just when he thought he'd struck gold with an international call-up to the England Under 19s squad and is all set to check in for the trip to Amsterdam, he gets an unexpected upgrade.

And his inclusion in David Platt's U21s fraternity is just reward for some first class performances for the Clarets.

People asked me when I was at Burnley what young Chaplow was like. At the time I could honestly say I didn't have a clue because he wasn't training with the first team then.

But he's come on leaps and bounds in a short space of time and caught the eye, and that's credit to Stan Ternent.

All of Burnley (and the people of his home town Accrington too I'm sure) will be rooting for Chappy tonight. And I just hope he gets the chance to show what he can do.

I have no doubt he'll enjoy the occasion and the venue. I've seen Hull City's the Kingston Communications Stadium for myself and it's a lovely stadium.

I had eight years at Hull and it's a massive place with a lot of football fans. The place is crying out for Premiership football really, but hosting an international match is a good start and I'm sure the ground will be full tonight.

I just wish the lad well because we need something to smile about now we're out of the FA Cup.

You can't help thinking what might have been.

Looking at the draw the Clarets could have had Tranmere at home, and then you're in touching distance of the semi-finals and no doubt a big pay day with all the television interest and the money you get anyway from progressing in the competition.

I'm not saying the debts could have been wiped out in one fell swoop but it would have gone a long way to making life easier financially at Turf Moor.

We had an unbelievable chance right at the end on Saturday and how Alan Moore missed that I'll never know. I don't think Alan himself will either!

But now we've got to turn our attentions to the league and make sure we stay up.

One way to look at Saturday is that it was the first time the Clarets have lost this year.

I just that doesn't prompt a bad spell like last season.