MIDFIELD minder Tony Grant is ready to step out of the shadows against Crewe this weekend.

Grant admits he is 'loving' the anchor role in a fluid 4-1-4-1 formation, protecting the central defensive duo and constantly looking to get the Clarets moving in the right direction.

But with Micah Hyde suspended this Saturday, he is willing to add more midfield muscle if manager Steve Cotterill opts for a more conventional 4-4-2 in search of a first home win of the campaign.

"Last season, I was always the one to sit deep anyway, so there is not too much change," admitted Grant.

"I was playing in there alongside Richard Chaplow last year and everyone knows what he is like.

"He runs all over the place and that helps me, but whatever formation we go with I'm happy because I feel the new system the gaffer has introduced works well.

"He tells me to be quite disciplined and not go too far forward and that gives the likes of Richard, Micah Hyde and the two full backs licence to get forward.

"I have to make sure I give that protection, but it's down to me to get the ball and make us play, otherwise I'm not really in the game.

"It's in my game anyhow to get on the ball, so that role helps me and, when we are all playing the game

the way the gaffer wants, it works a treat."

With no new signings anticipated before the weekend, utility man Lee Roche seems certain of his first start of the season in place of Hyde, who put the frustration of a three-game domestic ban behind him by scoring one of the Jamaican goals in the 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over San Salvador last night.

And Grant is convinced that elusive home win is just around the corner for the Clarets following the disappointment of defeat to Gillingham last time out.

He added: "I think overall, we look sound. Even against Gillingham, when we weren't at our best, we had an awful lot of the ball and just looked a little ragged.

"But I'm happy with the way we are playing and now it would just be nice to get a home win under our belts. There's no doubt about it.

"Crewe are like us in the past - you never know what you are going to get!

"But the win has to come sooner, rather than later and it's a game we should win with the players we have.

"Hopefully that can then kick start us again on a little unbeaten run."