BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill is still looking for three pieces to complete his jigsaw puzzle.

The Clarets boss is targeting a left back, a central midfielder and a striker to add to the three players he has already signed this summer.

And Sheffield United's Nick Montgomery has emerged as a possible suitor for one of those roles after being told he can leave Bramall Lane this summer.

Cotterill insisted: "We have three players in so far and I'm still looking for a left full back, a central midfielder and a striker. Obviously I would like more, but I can only go as far as the money takes me and those three positions need to be filled before anything else."

With cash-strapped Cotterill actively scouring the free transfer market for bargains, Montgomery would still appear to be an outside bet to join the Clarets as he remains under contract and would therefore command a nominal fee.

The former Scotland U21 midfielder, one of seven players made available for transfer by Blades boss Neil Warnock, would, however, bring vital Championship experience with him to Turf Moor.

The 23-year-old, who was born in Leeds, joined his hometown club on schoolboy forms but after failing to break through at Elland Road became a graduate of the Blades youth system, where he quickly began to blossom.

Montgomery has since made over 150 appearances for the South Yorkshire side, including starts in both games against the Clarets last season. However, he made the starting line-up in less than under half of their games due to Andy Liddell's form and was resigned to the substitutes bench in many of the remaining games.

He caught the eye with an impressive performance in the televised FA Cup tie against Arsenal, but has been made available for transfer this summer as Warnock looks to shuffle his squad following another failed attempt to get into the Premiership.

Meanwhile, Burnley are among the pre-season favourites for relegation next season. The Clarets have been listed at 80/1 for outright promotion, with only Plymouth Argyle, Watford, Brighton and Hove Albion and Crewe Alexandrea below them in the odds.