BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent has dismissed speculation that Greek under-21 striker Dimitri Papadopoulos could be about to return home on a six month loan deal to top division side Aris Salonika.

"It is news to me," said Ternent this morning, who is more interested in adding to his squad than letting players go after the loss of Gareth Taylor and Glen Little for two to three weeks.

The 20-year-old, bought for £500,000 from Akratitos in the summer, came close to scoring his first senior goal for the Clarets in the FA Cup clash with Canvey Island on Saturday.

He also set up Ian Moore for his third goal with a clever header from Kevin Ball's cross.

This weekend reports in Athens have suggested that Papadopoulos is a short term target for Aris's French coach Richard Tardi.

He watched Papadopoulos in the recent European Championship Under-21 play-off against Turkey and was impressed enough to want to add him to the squad that is currently lying fifth in the table.

Contacts in Greece had suggested a move is likely to go ahead in the next couple of days although it is being stressed that it is only a loan deal.

But Ternent's dismissal of the story suggests Papadopoulos may be lining up for the reserves against Tranmere on Wednesday evening and then challenging for a place in the first team against Wimbledon on Saturday.

Andy Payton returned to Turf Moor last week after a loan spell at Blackpool and Taylor's injury means Ternent will have to examine his striking options.

The last trip to Selhurst Park saw a defeat of Crystal Palace with Moore playing as a lone striker.

Papadopoulos has been impressing in the reserves in recent weeks, scoring five goals in his last two games.

Saturday was his fifth appearance as a substitute and his only start came in the Worthington Cup defeat by Rushden and Diamonds.

Clarets boss Stan Ternent has always insisted that Papadopoulos was bought with the future in mind and he never expected him to be a fixture in the first team so early in his Burnley career.

He has settled well at Burnley and is a popular member of the squad but the hope is that when he returns he will be ready to fight for a first team place.

"Dimitri came on on Saturday and I would like to have seen him get a goal," said Ternent.