BURNLEY were today bracing themselves for a fresh bid by Wigan to capture Robbie Blake.

The Clarets yesterday rejected the Latics' initial offer of £500,000 for their influential captain and leading goalscorer.

However, Wigan boss Paul Jewell insists he still wants to sign a striker before Saturday's game against Preston.

And with Blake his self-confessed number one target - and mega-rich owner and chairman Dave Whelan willing to back his manager - that means an improved offer seems almost certain to wing its way to Turf Moor.

Jewell, who managed Blake at Bradford, said: "I spoke to Steve Cotterill on Sunday, made an offer on Monday, and Burnley then turned it down.

"Whether we go back is another matter. We made an offer for Robbie that we think is a fair one, but obviously they don't want to sell him and that might be the end of it.

"But he's a good player. I know all about him from Bradford and he's even better now than he was then.

"Robbie would give us something different, and while I'm not saying he would come straight into the team, he would certainly improve the squad.

"With us not scoring goals at the minute, we might have to think about changing the system somewhere down the line to just try and open things up.

"I want more competition for places, and now would be a good time to bring in two or three new faces if we can.

"I would really like to bring someone in for the weekend because a new signing always brings the best out of the players already here."

Meanwhile, former Clarets striker Andy Cooke has revealed he turned down a lucrative new contract from South Korean side Busan Icons to return to England and try his luck.

Cooke, 30, is training with the Clarets for the next few weeks as he looks to earn a new deal somewhere in January's transfer window.

He said: "Busan offered me a new one-year contract. It was a really good deal and the money was absolutely fantastic - more than you could ever imagine getting here in England.

"But I just thought enough was enough and I wanted to get my family home.

"Already I have a few options and I am so thankful for that because being away for so long you are out of sight, out of mind.

"I was going to sign for a big League One club last week, but I found out there was a massive grey area with the transfer window.

"I am out of work and out of contract, but the FA still won't let me sign anywhere until January because I have crossed borders.

"I tried to get the PFA involved, but they told me there was nothing they could do either.

"But everything happens for a reason and the good thing is that I probably would have been way off the pace if I'd signed and been thrown into a game.

"So maybe it has done me a favour being sidelined for another four weeks and being able to get more training behind me."

Cooke added: "I've only been at Burnley a few days and I'm still way off the pace. But it's all about getting myself back on track so that I can sign for someone in four or five weeks.

"I have to keep my options open because I might not even be what Steve Cotterill is looking for.

"We'll just have to wait and see, but Steve is aware of the situation and there are no promises on either side."