DECISION day for Clarets full back Dean West is fast approaching as last season's player of the year will be out of contract on Sunday.

Like hundreds of footballers across the country his current deal expires on the last day of the month but, unlike many others, he has got a new deal on the table.

Clarets boss Stan Ternent, who has worked with the player at both Turf Moor and Bury, said: "I have spoken to Dean and I want him to stay. We have worked together for a long time and he did very well for us last season."

The delay in West signing a new deal is, like most things this summer, linked to the problem of the loss of television money. The club is still unsure how much of the budgeted for £2.75 million they will receive and so all contract negotiations have been affected.

Having released six players Ternent has completed a new deal with Gordon Armstrong, the only other player who was out of contract this summer, and now he is just hoping that West will pledge his immediate future to the club. The stagnant transfer market is expected to pick-up from next Monday as literally hundreds of footballers suddenly become available.

"And it is certain that some negotiations have already taken place up and down the country."

But the fact that finances remain tight and the television money is still not sorted out may continue to tie the hands of managers, including the Burnley boss.

Four players who have now signed 12-month contracts at the club are youngsters Earl Davis, Mark Rasmussen, Andrew Waine and Andrew Leeson.

The quartet, all graduates from the Clarets youth team, featured in the reserve side last season.

A DIFFERENT form of entertainment is going to be on offer at Turf Moor later this summer when the club hosts a Medieval and Viking evening.

Jugglers, fire-eaters, music and dancing are all on the menu along with a three course hog roast buffet at the event to be held in the Turf Moor Leisure Centre on Friday August 23.

To help create the right atmosphere guests are being asked to wear fancy dress and really get in the mood.

The price of tickets is £10 for members of the leisure centre, Clarets Foundation, season ticket holders and Claret and Blue bond members.

For anyone else the cost is £12.50 and full details can be obtained by ringing 01282 700081 or 01282 700008.