STRIKER David Johnson could be set to get his wish and rejoin forces with Stan Ternent - permanently.

The Clarets boss has confirmed that he is eager to take the 25-year-old, who worked with him at Bury, on board during the summer if a deal can be struck.

Johnson, who has scored four times in his five outings since he arrived on loan from Nottingham Forest, commanded a fee of £1.1million when he left Gigg Lane for Ipswich in November 1997 and then £3million when he moved to the City Ground from Portman Road in January 2001.

"David has done everything that I expected of him since he came here," enthused Ternent.

"We will have to wait and see where we are up to at the end of this season before we sort something out.

"But I think it is obvious that I would love to keep him here if I possibly can.

"I don't think that has ever been a secret."

Johnson has already gone on record that he would prefer to leave the City Ground where little has gone right for him since his move 14 months ago and this season he had already been on loan to Sheffield Wednesday before teaming up with the Clarets last month.