DRISSA Diallo will hold make-or-break talks over his Burnley future this week.

The French defender was one of the few success stories of Burnley's often-breached back line last season.

Clarets boss Stan Ternent is desperate to fend off interest from Ipswich and make the 30-year-old stopper a key component in his plans for next season.

And Ternent is gearing up for the first round of crucial contract talks with the player's representative, Phil Black.

"There is nothing concrete yet, although Burnley is still Drissa's first option and he is keen to stay," Black revealed earlier today.

"He loves all the lads there and feels settled. We are just waiting on Burnley's initial offer, but I'm hoping to meet with Stan on Wednesday and begin negotiations."

First Division rivals Ipswich are waiting patiently in the wings after manager Joe Royle - a close friend of Ternent's - identified Diallo as a summer target.

However, Town are unable to make any move until they sort out their own finances at a special Football league meeting scheduled for June 4.

The Tractor Boys have been ploughing a dangerous furrow since being placed in administration 16 weeks ago with debts of £60m and having a transfer embargo placed on them.

Many of the club's top wage earners, such as Republic of Ireland midfielder Matt Holland and Nigerian striker Finidi George, are therefore still earning upwards of £25,000-per-week.

However, they hope a new business plan to be put before League chiefs early next month will allow them to begin new transfer negotiations.

That delay has given Ternent a vital window with which to secure Diallo's services in the long term.

Black added: "It's no secret Ipswich are keen to take Drissa, but Joe Royle cannot take things further at the moment because of the transfer embargo.

"That puts Burnley in the driving seat, but Drissa is 30 years-old and has to make sure the next step he makes is the right one."