CLARETS legend Andy Payton has urged the Burnley board to back new manager Steve Cotterill with cold hard cash.

Payton believes the former Cheltenham and Stoke manager has the coaching credentials to transform Burnley back into a First Division force.

But he insists Cotterill will struggle to make any headway unless chairman Barry Kilby loosens the Turf Moor purse strings.

Payton said: "Steve comes to Burnley as one of the new-breed of managers. He has all the coaching credentials going and that makes good reading on a CV.

"But in Burnley's position he needs some real backing because he has to rebuild an entire squad.

"In an ideal world, he would need something like £5m to get in the calibre of players he needs.

"Clearly he will not get that much money, but you can't just appoint a new manager and expect him to wave a magic wand.

"We are down to eight players and anyone will tell you that you need in the region of 20 to make a fist of things."

Payton believes most Burnley fans will welcome Cotterill with open arms on his arrival at Turf Moor.

But he warned the new Clarets chief he will need to throw himself into his third managerial post with renewed vigour to win over those who will question his loyalty.

Cotterill quit Stoke after only 13 games in charge to become assistant manager to Howard Wilkinson in an ill-fated venture at Sunderland.

Payton said: "Fans will remember that and it's up to Steve now to come in and prove his worth.

"He won't be well known in these parts, but fans will still give him their backing so long as he returns that faith."

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