ENGLAND soccer legend Paul Gascoigne could be a Burnley player by Wednesday.

Gazza was in Burnley last night after Clarets boss Stan Ternent declared: " I hope that the deal will be done sooner rather than later".

The 34-year-old is expected to put on a Claret and Blue shirt for Wednesday's Turf Moor clash with Bradford.

Drinkers at the Kettledrum Inn, in Red Lees Road, where Ian Wright also popped in during his spell at Burnley, were surprised to see the football ace walk in last night.

Landlady Chantelle Brown said: "I didn't know he was there at first. Everyone seemed happy enough that he was there but they didn't make a fuss over him.

"A few people got autographs but he didn't stay long.

"I spoke to him but he didn't mention anything about coming to Burnley and we left him alone because he was in company. He seemed to enjoy himself."

It would be Gazza's seventh club in his colourful career -- and the biggest signing in the history of Burnley FC.

The momentum behind the move for Gascoigne gathered once Walter Smith had been sacked by Everton and replaced by Preston's David Moyes.

Burnley always insisted that they would renew their interest if there was a change at the top at Goodison.

Stan Ternent said: "Gazza would be a massive signing for us. He is not just one of the country's best ever players, he is one of the best players in the world.

"Who'd have thought Burnley could look to sign a player like him a few years ago? I would love to get him to the club and I hope that the deal will be done sooner rather than later.

"We need to get it done as soon as possible because there are 23 other clubs in this division and quite a few in the Premier League who would love to sign Paul Gascoigne."

Gascoigne first sprung to prominence at his native Newcastle United before moving to Tottenham Hotspur, the club he was with when he took the world by storm in the 1990 World Cup.

His performances -- and his tears -- guaranteed his place in the country's hearts although in many ways it has never got better for the midfielder.

A terrible knee injury suffered when fouling Nottingham Forest's Gary Charles in the FA Cup Final 11 years ago set his career back but he did finally join Rome giants Lazio the following summer.

Again his career was interrupted by injury and after an unhappy stay Walter Smith took him to Rangers. From there he returned to England when Bryan Robson signed him for Middlesbrough before Smith signed him again, this time as Everton boss.

Smith's departure was always likely to hasten any move for Gascoigne and Burnley has always looked to be in pole position to make a move for him.

Ian Wright was a key figure in the last successful promotion campaign. Ternent will be hoping that a deal for Gascoigne can be sorted out quickly to allow him to have a similar impact.