CLARETS fans may have expected to see some fresh faces at Turf Moor ahead of today's clash with Millwall but the lack of transfer activity is not for want of trying.

After the defeat of Stockport last week manager Stan Ternent repeated his desire to strengthen his squad to maintain the push for promotion and he is clearly searching far and wide.

"We have got scouts all over the place," explained Ternent who this week had a second look at Greek defender Giorgios Alexopoulos and a first check on Canadian Rick Titus in the reserves' match against Preston North End at Turf Moor.

The Canadian left back has played with the Vancouver Whitecaps and was named as defender of the year in the Canadian A League.

Alexopoulos, who has Champions' League experience with Greek giants Panathanaikos, had done enough in his first game for the reserves at Wolves to earn a second game.

But having been put under close scrutiny on the training ground and in the game both men have now gone home and Ternent admitted that he has no plans to bring them back, although he is still ready to cast his net far and wide.

Earlier this season Eintracht Frankfurt's German midfielder Thomas Sobotzik failed to get international clearance to play for the reserves and although there are other players interesting the club they may have to be put on the back burner.

"We have got one or two irons in the fire but it is unlikely that too much will happen around Christmas," he said. "We have got too many games to focus on and there are no reserve matches where it would be possible to have a look at players.

"But there is no doubt that it is now a global game and we are interested in any players who will improve Burnley Football Club.

"Nowadays you have got players coming from Australia, South Africa and America. CLARETS: From back page

"But the main thing with any player that we bring in is that they have to fit in with what we want."

Ternent has certainly done well with the foreign players he has brought in as Greek keeper Nik Michopoulos and French defender Arthur Gnohere have not only become key parts of the table topping side but real fans' favourites.

Two more Greeks, keeper Luigi Cennamo and young striker Dimitri Papadopoulos, have been doing well in reserves and the latter is getting ever closer to his first league start in the first team.

But Ternent's search for more talent will continue at home as well as away as the bargain capture of midfield maestro Tony Grant proved.

He does still have key selection decisions before each game but his squad cannot compete in depth with the likes of Wolves and Manchester City at the top of the table.

So while he is unlikely to see a fresh signing in his Christmas stocking, Ternent's New Year's resolution looks set to be strengthening his first team squad, with talent from any part of the globe.