CASH-STRAPPED Burnley boss Stan Ternent admitted he has had offers for players but at this stage has managed not to sell.

Last month he warned that all his players are available if the price is right but he has always insisted he will not give them away.

"If we need to address the financial situation there are players we can sell but I don't want to see anybody go," he explained.

"My recommendation to the board would be that I want to keep players but they know the financial situation.

"But if you are selling, who do you sell to? Clubs need the money to buy them and that means selling to the Premiership or one of the clubs lucky enough to have a benefactor.

"This is a buyer's market and so what is a player's true valuation? If someone is worth ten bob you can bet your bottom dollar you will only be offered five. I would prefer to strengthen but I have not been able to.

"Marlon Broomes has gone to Preston on a two-year-deal because we were not in a position to offer him the same.

"But there are still other options open to me, perhaps loaning players, so we will just have to wait and see."

Ternent accepted that some fans have been disappointed by the lack of transfer activity and he said: "I understand the frustrations of the supporters and everyone at the club."

Given the dominance of the off the field problems, Ternent is relieved to be looking ahead to tomorrow's start to the season on the pitch on season and he insisted: "We have got to remain positive."

"If we had added two or three players and kept the rest of the squad together it would be realistic to think that we could go a little better than the last two seasons.

"Unfortunately with the collapse of ITV Digital we find ourselves in a difficult situation financially but the survival of the club is the most important thing."

Such problems will be forgotten if the Clarets can match last season's winning start to their campaign and Ternent said: "Everyone is looking forward to it and that is why we can be positive.

"The start of the season is always exciting and the players are aware of it. We have had a good pre-season and now we have got to get on with it. As always we will be doing our best.

"We have had Brighton watched a couple of times and they are a good side. They were champions last season and they will come and have a go.

"They have got Bobby Zamora who is a real goalscorer, quick and lively, and so we will have to be at our best."

With Alan Moore injured, Robbie Blake could have a key role tomorrow but Ternent will be without the services of the injured trio of Paul Weller, Brad Maylett and Gordon Armstrong.

"I will be able to name 16 players," smiled Ternent but he is confident that his side can still compete this season despite the lack of depth in the squad.

Three points against Brighton tomorrow will certainly provide a very timely boost for everyone at Turf Moor.