Brian Laws admits that if not a "must win", then at the very least, Saturday's encounter with Wolves is a "must not lose" game for Burnley.

With Wednesday night's 1-1 draw against Stoke meaning the Clarets are now only behind Wolves - and the wrong side of the relegation zone - on goal difference, this weekend's clash at Turf Moor is a crucial six-pointer in the battle to avoid the drop.

Time is running out for Burnley, who have played a game more than their rivals at the bottom of the Barclays Premier League, and with trips to fellow strugglers Wigan and Hull to come in the next few weeks, Laws knows that every point from here counts.

The manager has been reluctant in the past to refer to matches as "must win", but asked if he viewed Saturday's as a "must not lose" fixture, he said: "You can use that phrase.

"I think it's important that we emphasise the games coming up, how important they are and what an impact it can have if you win the games.

"But we also know that there is an impact if you lose because they are against the teams around us.

"If they (Wolves) take points off us, then it gives us a harder task the following game. If we take points off them we accelerate, and we go above them.

"We know the importance of it and I would say; you don't go and lose the game.

"You don't go out there to draw - go and win it. First and foremost win the game. But if you can't win it, don't lose it."

Laws said Clarets top scorer Steven Fletcher has a "great chance" of being fit for Saturday's match.

Fletcher, who has 11 goals this campaign, has missed the Clarets' last two matches after breaking his hand while on international duty with Scotland, but Laws is confident the striker is close to making a return.

"Fletcher still has a great chance," Laws said.

"He just missed out on Wednesday, but another couple of days under his belt on the training ground might give him a great chance for Saturday, for sure.

"He's a great player for us and we're better for him in it (the team) than out of it."

David Nugent has scored twice in Fletcher's absence, but Laws acknowledged the importance for teams like Burnley and Wolves - who were also promoted from the Coca-Cola Championship last year - to have their most prolific forwards on the pitch as the fight for survival intensifies.

"You look at Wolves and they were free-scoring last season. Burnley were free-scoring last season, couldn't stop scoring," Laws said.

"But we're in a division now that doesn't allow you that many opportunities, so therefore goals that do come are precious.

"If you do have someone who can score goals for you he is a key member of your team, like Fletcher.

"We've got Nugent as well and (Martin) Paterson who is on the goalscoring chart, so we have players who are capable of scoring goals.

"That's the good thing - we can create, we will create and it's a matter of making sure it falls to the right feet."

Asked if he would start with Fletcher should he be available, Laws said: "Absolutely, there are no secrets there. He's a quality player and you do not leave quality out."