AFTER getting no joy from Essex referee Ray Lee, Jim Magilton is looking to move on and has called his players to raise themselves and become warriors against Burnley tomorrow.

By Derek Davis

AFTER getting no joy from Essex referee Ray Lee, Jim Magilton is looking to move on and has called his players to raise themselves and become warriors against Burnley tomorrow.

The Blues boss waited the statutory time before approaching the official who rightly dismissed Simon Walton for two bookings, the second a tackle from behind, but failed to dish out the same punishment to Derby skipper Michael Johnson who went to play a part in County's last-gasp winner.

Magilton said: “The referee could not give me an explanation as to why he spoke with Billy Davies at half time or why he did not dismiss Johnson.

“Don't get me wrong, I like Johnson and I don't want to see him or anyone else sent off but if Simon's tackle was a booking, and I have no problem with either card or the sending-off, then by the laws of the game Johnson should nave gone too. The referee told me that he deemed the tackle a reckless challenge and not a cautionary one.

“When I asked him how he could come to that when Alan Lee was on the edge of the area and was caught from behind, he could not offer an explanation.”

The Blues can extract some revenge on the fist of the three teams that have inflicted late defeats on Town by beating Burnley at home tomorrow.

Magilton said: “Whatever the referee did wrong on Wednesday doesn't take away the fact that we lost concentration again and there is no excuse for that.

“We have to treat the first minute, second minute or third minute of time added on like we do the first, second third minute of the game. These are harsh lessons we are learning and I hope the penny has dropped. The players have to raise themselves and show their fight, starting against Burnley.

“We need to reverse some of the results we have suffered and start winning 1-0 with last-minute goals. We are not far away from the top teams. It may seem so in terms of points but in most games we have been a match [for the opposition] or more. We have limited teams' chances and created our own so we know we are not far away.

One of the players Magilton would like to bring in during the January window is George O'Callaghan, but Sunderland are showing an interest in signing the Cork City player too.

O'Callaghan has impressed in training with Ipswich and is keen to sign for the Blues. Town would like to see him in a competitive match before offering a contract to the 27-year-old attacking midfielder. who has Champions' League experience.

With Dan Harding and Simon Walton suspended it is likely that fit-again Fabian Wilnis could be involved against Burnley, although Matt Richards could also slot in at left-back with Gary Roberts moving over from the right and Gavin Williams getting a start. Burnley are likely to be without Andy Gray who is believed to have broken a bone in a foot.

Czech keeper Jaro Drobny will not be offered an extension to the month's contract he signed and is once again a free agent.