GRAHAM Alexander will lead the Clarets out as captain when Burnley make their Premier League bow at the Britannia Stadium this afternoon.

The Scotland international has been given the armband in the absence of Steven Caldwell, who is ruled out with the groin strain he picked up in Scotland's World Cup qualifying defeat to Norway on Wednesday.

That means a place at centre half for Stephen Jordan, alongside Clarke Carlisle, with Christian Kalvenes starting at left back.

Summer signings Tyrone Mears and £3million man Steven Fletcher make their debuts, while fellow newcomers Richard Eckersley and Fernando Guerrero are named on a seven-strong substitutes' bench.

BURNLEY: Brian Jensen; Tyrone Mears, Clarke Carlisle, Stephen Jordan, Christian Kalvenes; Graham Alexander; Wade Elliott Chris McCann, Robbie Blake; Steven Fletcher, Martin Paterson.

Subs: Diego Penny, Kevin McDonald, Joey Gudjonsson, Richard Eckersley, Steven Thompson, Fernando Guerrero, Chris Eagles.

STOKE CITY: Thomas Sorensen; Andy Wilkinson, Abdoulaye Faye, Ryan Shawcross, Danny Hiugginbotham; Liam Lawrence, Rory Delap, Dean Whitehead, Matthew Etherington, James Beattie, Ricardo Fuller.

Subs: Steve Simonsen, Andy Griffin, Leon Cort, Glen Whelan, Dave Kitson, Danny Pugh, Richard Cresswell.