BARRY Kilby has vowed to lend Burnley manager Steve Cotterill a helping hand in his quest for more players.

Chairman Kilby is planning transfer talks with Cotterill later this week after two defeats in three days over the Bank Holiday weekend cruelly exposed the alarming lack of depth to the Clarets squad.

In all seven games of Cotterill's reign, in all competitions, the new Turf Moor boss has been forced to field the same starting line-up.

And with Burnley currently enjoying a near two-week break before resuming league action against Crewe Alexandra at Turf Moor on September 11, Kilby is ready to discuss strengthening the squad with the new man in charge of first team affairs.

"I will be sitting down with Steve this week and having a discussion about how we can move forward," admitted Kilby.

"The 12-day break gives us a little time to take stock, so we will take some time out, sit down and look at the finer details of what we have at our disposal.

"We both know we need to do something with the squad regarding the necessary strength in depth, so let's see that we can do about it."

Burnley supporters will be relieved to hear that Cotterill could be set for some badly-needed financial backing after performing heroics in the opening weeks of the campaign.

The manager's team selections have so far seen utility man Lee Roche - the only substitute used - restricted to just 34 minutes action in four appearances.

Goalkeeping back-up is provided by last season's number one, Brian Jensen, who lost his place to summer signing Danny Coyne.

Elsewhere, youngsters Ryan Townsend, Joel Pilkington and Matt O'Neill have made up the numbers on the bench for the opening games, with rookie defender Paul Scott and first team coach Mark Yates the only other players to be allocated squad numbers.

Cotterill, however, has been content to drill such a small pool until more financial muscle comes his way.

And following the recent £250,000 investment by Bacup businessman Ray Griffiths, and the Premiership transfer window now closed until the new year, Kilby may be tempted to finally release the purse strings to allow for new arrivals, with loan signings a realistic option.

The chairman added: "Money is tight, but the little break has come at a good time and a few factors are in our favour.

"The transfer window closing is a big thing for us and that weighs heavily in our thoughts."