FORMER Burnley skipper Steve Davis is refusing to rule out joining Third Division York City.

The long-serving defender, 34, is waiting for new opportunities to arise after his departure from Turf Moor this summer.

Davis has been pounding the hills to keep fit as he comes to terms with being one of around 600 professional footballers released by Premiership and Nationwide League clubs.

Earlier this week, new Minstermen boss Chris Brass broke the news to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph that he wants to lure Davis to Bootham Crescent along with keeper Marlon Beresford, another casualty of Stan Ternent's summer cull.

And Davis, who made almost 400 appearances for Burnley in three spells, admits he would be willing to listen to former Clarets colleague Brass.

Hexham-born Davis said: "It's still a little bit early to get sorted out, but I would definitely be interested in anything Chris had to offer.

"Brassy is a great lad and I would like to help him out if I can. Ideally, I would like to stay in the First Division, but a lot of factors come into the equation and just because they are a Third Division side wouldn't put me off."

Beresford, meanwhile, exclusively revealed he is weighing up several offers from mystery First and Second Division clubs - effectively ruling out joining Brass at York.

One ex-Burnley player definitely on the move, however, is former winger Paul Smith. The injury-ravaged 27-year-old, who made over 100 appearances for the Clarets before leaving Turf Moor to join Hartlepool on a free transfer in November 2001, has joined Sheffield Wednesday.

Smith will link up again with former 'Pool boss Chris Turner - now in charge of the Owls - following their relegation to Division Two.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are not fretting over facing Burnley in the opening fixture of the 2003/2004 season.

The Eagles left Turf Moor with a point last season after a drab 0-0 draw early in the campaign.

And first team coach Terry Bullivant is bullish over his side's chances of inflicting the worst possible start to Burnley's season next month.

He said: ""In all honesty, we just want to get going and we won't really think about Burnley until maybe ten days, or a week before.

"We'll have them watched in their friendlies, but you don't really get that much from friendly games because the side that plays isn't always the side you'll come up against."