THERE have always been certain names in the world of football that have demanded national attention.

Half a century ago it would have been Stanley Matthews, in the swinging 60s and beyond George Best, although for different reasons.

Throughout the 70s the likes of Stan Bowles, Frank Worthington and Rodney Marsh were media darlings, providing great copy far beyond the back pages.

In the last decade of the century two names stood out in English football, Eric Cantona and Paul Gascoigne.

And it was Burnley's enquiry into the availability of the latter that saw the Clarets in the unusual position of headline news on Sky TV and Radio Five Live throughout yesterday.

Manager Stan Ternent is always keen to play his cards close to his chest and he did manage to pull an ace from up his sleeve a couple of years ago when he surprised the football world by signing Ian Wright.

All the indications are that there will be no dream debut for his fellow former England star when Burnley take on Lancashire rivals Preston North End at Turf Moor a week on Sunday.

But the fact that the phone in my office on Monday afternoon and then at home later that night was red hot shows that even at the age of 34 Gazza is still big news.

"Are we signing Gazza?" was the gist of every call with rumours of flash cars with personalised number plates being seen outside Turf Moor.

On Tuesday morning it looked like there could be something in it as chairman Barry Kilby confirmed an interest.

Then slowly but surely the legs that seemed to be carrying the story were cut from beneath it as the noises from Merseyside made it clear any move was unlikely to happen given the Toffees' interest in avoiding relegation and winning the FA Cup.

But the story does show that nothing and no one has been ruled out as Ternent continues to look to strengthen his squad ahead of the deadline in three weeks.

Ternent was angry at the booing that has greeted his team in recent home games and the arrival of the maverick midfielder would have guaranteed both bums on seats and a carnival atmosphere.

So will Ternent be able to spring a transfer surprise?

The club certainly needs a lift after last night's disappointment and given that his chairman admitted that Gazza was just one iron in his fire, don't bet against it!