STAN Ternent has vowed to battle on as Burnley boss next season - even without a contract.

Ternent's current deal expires in the summer, but he has revealed he is willing to pledge his future to the club as long as the board back him to carry on.

Chairman Barry Kilby has already hinted he will hold new contract talks with Ternent, in the new year, but the Clarets manager isn't letting the issue cause him too much concern.

Ternent said: "My contract is up in the summer, but I'm not bothered about what that means.

"I'm prepared to work with or without a contract for as long as I have the backing of the people at the club.

"I will stay for as long as they want me to stay."

Ternent has transformed the club's fortunes since joining in the summer of 1998. But the club reported at their December AGM that they expect to lose another £2.3 million this year.

He also had to furiously confirm he had no intention to quit following the 5-3 defeat at Preston before Christmas, when a post-match meeting with Kilby sparked false reports that he had resigned.

However, there could be some better news for Burnley as they look to turn over a new leaf in the new year, as it seems that Sunderland are set to cool their interest in Robbie Blake.

Blacks Cats manager Mick McCarthy confirmed last week that he was interested in buying the 14-goal top scorer but no firm offers had yet been made.

But he has now switched his attention to Newcastle United defender Steve Caldwell, a transfer which, if completed, would probably leave them only a maximum £500,000 to spend on Blake.

Although any reasonable offer would have to be considered in the current climate, the figure would have to be significantly higher to outweigh the loss of Blake, given his contribution to the Clarets this campaign.

But McCarthy is looking to boost his strike force with Swindon Town's Sam Parkin while Jamie Cureton, the former Reading and Bristol Rovers hitman, is on trial after returning from a spell in Korea.