BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent today admitted he would love to sign Matt Jansen - but his ambitious attempts to lure the Blackburn striker to Turf Moor look doomed to failure.

Clarets chief Ternent has contacted Rovers about the possibility of signing Jansen on loan, as we exclusively revealed yesterday.

However, as we understand it, the player is set to turn down Burnley's overtures in favour of a move elsewhere following a meeting with Ewood chief Graeme Souness.

"The outcome of yesterday's meeting was very positive," said Jansen's agent, Jay Bevington, today.

"Graeme has been very supportive and committed to Matt throughout all this.

"At the moment, the club believe it could be in Matt's best interests to go out on loan and that's something we are willing to consider.

"Matt clearly needs games right now and that's why we are considering a loan move.

"Without being disrespectful, reserve team football does not provide the kind of competitive games he needs so we are going to take it to the next stage.

"We will draw up a list of clubs who we think would be suitable for Matt at this moment in time and then we'll ask Rovers to contact them on our behalf.

"But Graeme has basically said whether he goes on loan or not and to which club is down to Matt and his family to decide."

As we understand it, prospective clubs must be able to meet three criteria in order to lure Jansen away from Ewood on a temporary basis.

Ideally, the player wants to join a mid-table First Division club with a reputation for playing good football.

And he would also favour a switch to a club within a close proximity to the North West, which would enable him to keep in regular touch with Rovers' medical staff.

On that basis, Burnley would appear be in the running but worries over how such a move would be viewed by both sets of fans means it's doomed to failure.

Ternent insists, however, that such obstacles could be overcome.

"I'm fine with it, so is Graeme Souness - I just hope the fans would be too!"

"I spoke to Graeme on Saturday morning before we went to Coventry.

"To be honest my only concern was the fans' reaction, I don't have any worries.

"He is a good player who is not in their side at the moment.

"There is no doubt he would strengthen our front line, he needs games and I would certainly play him.

"Playing games would be beneficial to him and I hope that both sets of fans would see it would help both clubs.

"I think it would be a good thing and it will be better for him to be playing in my team than sitting on the bench.

"Blackburn would be paying a part of his wages, my chairman spoke to (Rovers chief executive) John Williams about him and the matter is now out of my hands.

"I just have to wait and see what the two clubs decide between them."

Clarets chairman Barry Kilby confirmed this morning: "I will be speaking to John Williams today to see where we are up to. A lot will depend on who else is in for him and, as ever, how much we would have to pay.

"But we have made various enquiries about players although we won't bring anyone in this week. We need to get the Cup tie out of the way and then look to bring players in before the Derby game."

From the Rovers side, Williams admitted: "We have only just come to the conclusion that a loan move might be right for Matt and this may be a bit different to normal deals.

"We have been approached by a number of clubs but it may be a case of us going out and asking clubs if they want to take him. I'm sure a lot of first division sides would want him and he needs 90 minutes, not 15 or 20 minutes here and there.

"We have only 11 games left and with Hakan Sukur coming back it is unlikely we will be able to play him as much as we would like. But the final decision will rest with Matt and his advisors."

Coventry, Derby, Wolves, Preston and Watford are also thought to be keen on a move for Jansen.

Gary McAllister, the Coventry manager, said at a fans' forum last night: "His agent has been in touch and he is one of the players who has been brought to our attention."