Carlisle out to prove that time is not up for Burnley

The conundrum of Burnley's away form has baffled many in Lancashire for months, but while many of his team-mates have fulfilled dreams at Old Trafford, Anfield and Stamford Bridge this season, Clarke Carlisle finally ticked the box at Yorkshire Studios with an appearance on Countdown.

Carlisle, 30, claims to have watched the programme for a quarter of a century and, having previously failed an audition, he recently took part in the quiz and will appear on Channel 4 on Wednesday.

Carlisle has had to put up with plenty of teasing from his team-mates but insists it has all been worth it. "Initially I had a lot of stick from the lads, but I didn't care. It's something I've always wanted to do. In training when we played two-touch football I'd get it and the others would do the Countdown beeps," the defender said.

Carlisle admitted he had been nervous during the filming, but refused to disclose how he had fared. "On the Wednesday show my hands were sweaty, I couldn't get my words out; it was horrible," he added.

After tomorrow's trip to Aston Villa, there are just 12 more games to secure safety and Carlisle maintains that Burnley, who have just one away point this season, can pull out of trouble: "Thirteen games to go and several points yet to accrue – we have to work as hard as we can to make sure we get the right results."