STEVE Cotterill admits he may delve into the market for long-term loans once his initial transfer dealings have been done.

The Burnley boss suffered a setback yesterday when one of his top playing targets opted to snub a move to Turf Moor.

Cotterill has now opened up several other avenues as he looks to add to the 13 professionals on his books.

And he revealed he also hopes to loosen the purse strings enough to swoop for several players on season long loans.

He said: "Long-term loans might be in our plans. It just depends how it all fits into our budgets because everything is very money orientated.

"There were a few players we needed to target initially and we still have to make sure what we spend, we spend wisely. Then you move from there.

"But the other thing is, it gives the young lads a chance. We have several young lads, so let's see what they have in their lockers because there is no point leaving them on the side."

Winger Matt O'Neill, 20, midfielder Joel Pilkington and defender Paul Scott, both 19, have all been handed squad numbers after linking up with the first team squad for training.

And Cotterill wants his young guns to help beef up the bare bones of a Burnley squad.

He explained: "The one thing I noticed as a first impression was that the young lads need to be bigger and stronger.

"So it's vitally important that during the season they get on a weight programme."

Burnley kick off their pre-season programme just seven days from now with a short trip to Conference neighbours Accrington Stanley.

And Cotterill has already indicated that with players still thin on the ground, nobody carrying a niggling injury will be risked in the annual friendly clash.

The Clarets chief admitted: "I would ideally have liked a bigger gap before we started to play games, but we had already agreed to play Accrington on July 10 and dates dictate.

"At this stage, I still don't know what the team might be, but I would probably say no-one will play 90 minutes in that game.

"If we have injuries in any shape or form over the next week, they will certainly not play, so we will have to wait and see."

Meanwhile, former Burnley defender Mark McGregor is still not fixed up with a club for next season.

McGregor, one of four players released this summer by the Clarets, said: "I'm keeping myself fit and waiting for the phone to ring.

"There's nothing in the pipeline at the moment, but there are 450 other players still in the same boat as me.

"Most clubs are back in pre-season training now, so it's just a case of waiting to see what materialises."