STAN Ternent will today try to secure the signature of in-form keeper Marlon Beresford on a deal until the end of next season.

The 33-year-old was again inspired at the weekend as the Clarets extended their unbeaten run to nine, climbing into the top half of the first division for the first time this season.

"I hope to sign him on a longish term contract for the rest of this season and the next," he said, while acknowledging that he still has to be very careful with the club's finances.

"All the clubs at this level are feeling the pinch big style but Marlon is a good goalkeeper, as good as anyone in the first division. He is happy at Burnley and we want him to stay."

Beresford made his return to the Clarets in the first win of the season at Pride Park a month ago. His initial contract ended on Saturday but, with Nik Michopoulos on loan at Crystal Palace, it was inevitable that Ternent would want to extend his stay.

Beresford said last week that he is keen to have a deal longer than a month as he looked for some security for himself and his family and he now looks set to be granted his wish.

He has still not been on the losing side in his third stint at the club following six seasons in the 90s and 13 matches on loan from Middlesbrough last season.

The current run of four wins and three draws in the League have taken Burnley from the foot of the table to 12th and with a game in hand on most of the teams.

The latest success came with an injury crisis that saw Lee Briscoe, Alan Moore and Tony Grant ruled out along with another midfielder Paul Weller.

"I only had 16 fit players but we were very positive about scoring goals and creating chances," explained Ternent. "We killed the game in the early part of the second half."

While he was delighted with the efforts of all his players, he hailed the performance of left back Graham Branch while taking a swipe at the section of boo-boys that can get on his back when he plays at home.

"The problem Branchy has is at Turf Moor where some fans are always on his case," he said. "But I know he is a very, very good player."

He certainly played his part in only his second start of the season with the far post cross that Gareth Taylor head home and then the long ball that gave Ian Moore the chance to score a stunning third.

In between, Glen Little netted his second goal in two games after great link-up play with Robbie Blake, all three strikers rewarding Ternent's decision to play three up front.

"When we lost the ball we had two players withdrawn which gave us the best of both worlds," explained Ternent who will have admired the work-rate of his front men.

After a hectic schedule over the past month, the Clarets have a chance to catch breath with no game until Walsall are the visitors on Saturday.

But when you are on a roll you can't get enough football and everyone will be desperate for the weekend to arrive so they can try and extend the unbeaten run into double figures.

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