WEST HAM youngster Stephen Bywater has emerged as a realistic target as Burnley boss Stan Ternent looks to fill his goalkeeping void.

Bywater, an England U21 regular, has been unable to force his way into the first team picture at Upton Park for over two years due to David James' stunning form between the posts.

Only last week, former Rochdale stopper Bywater bit his lip and vowed to sign a new contract and fight his way into contention.

But I understand Burnley have begun moves to try and tempt Manchester-born Bywater back up north by dangling the carrot of a regular starting role.

Grimsby number one Danny Coyne was rumoured to be the first name in the frame as a replacement for Marlon Beresford and Nik Michopoulos, who were both shown the Turf Moor exit door this summer.

Welsh international Coyne, who was linked with the Clarets before joining the Mariners from Tranmere four years ago, recently admitted he would relish such a move following Town's relegation to Division Two.

But with Ternent vowing to drastically reduce the average age of his squad as a key component in his rebuilding plans, out-of-contract Bywater, 22, would certainly fit the identikit better than 29-year-old Coyne - albeit with much less experience.

Any proposed swoop would naturally hinge on England goalkeeper James remaining with the relegated Hammers next season.

National coach Sven Goran Eriksson yesterday reassured James he will be judged on how, not where, he plays his football next season.

But the giant stopper, who also yesterday pledged his immediate future to the club, may yet concede he needs regular Premiership football to enhance his chances of remaining Eriksson's number one after finally grabbing the gloves from veteran stopper David Seamen at international level.

In stark contrast, Bywater, who cost the Hammers £300,000 from Rochdale in February 1998, has made just five first team appearances at club level.

For two seasons he has been stuck in a rut as West Ham's third choice, first behind Shaka Hislop and then last season - under ex-Clarets assistant boss Glenn Roeder - below Dutch veteran Raimond van der Gouw.

Bywater's career has been stifled to such an extent that he last started a competitive game against Bradford in February 2001.

Since then, he has enjoyed brief loan spells at Cardiff and Wolves, where he suffered a broken wrist.

BURNLEY Football Club have taken steps to boost the number of season tickets next season by offering an "added incentive" to current holders.

Ticket sales are well down on last season, with around 7,500 being sold at the beginning of June - around 4,000 less than this time last season.

Many of those are fans who, last season, held tickets in the Jimmy McIlroy Family Stand (upper tier).

Now, fans who have not yet come forward are set to receive written notification of the new offer from club chiefs.

A club statement read: "The Club has looked at the number of renewals in the Family Stand and as an added incentive have now made an offer to season ticket holders last season who have not yet renewed.

"Children are the fans of the future and the reason that this stand has been selected for the offer."

The club is keen to stress that, at present, this offer is not open to supporters with tickets for any other parts of Turf Moor.