MANCHESTER CITY is the latest club to be linked with a move for Burnley star Glen Little.

But bemused Burnley chairman Barry Kilby insisted today: "There has been no contact from Manchester City and this story is news to me.

"To be honest, all we want to do is get Glen Little fit and playing for Burnley again as quickly as possible. We have no plans to sell him or exchange him for other players."

The winger, who is 26 next week, has been linked to a number of clubs already this season following a series of outstanding displays before he was injured in the defeat at Norwich City last month.

Premiership clubs Sunderland and Aston Villa have both been rumoured to be ready to make a move and now first division rivals City are supposedly ready for a bid.

When the player is fit again Kevin Keegan is reportedly poised to make a cash plus players offer valuing close to £5million.

But both Clarets manager Stan Ternent and his chairman Barry Kilby have repeatedly stressed that they have no interest in selling their prize asset.

City spokesman Chris Bird agreed with Kilby when he said this morning: "Any talk of a move for Glen Little is just press speculation."

There is no doubt that the Maine Road squad needs trimming as the new manager continues to add to his pool of players and the former Manchester United winger Terry Cooke is one face that has not fitted this season.

He would be a direct replacement for Little on the flank while midfielders Tony Grant and Kevin Horlock are also possible makeweights.

Grant has never made himself a first team regular since his arrival from Everton two seasons ago. Northern Ireland international Horlock has made well over a 100 appearances for City but has been restricted to a place on the bench following the departure of former boss Joe Royle.

Midfield is a key area for Clarets boss Stan Ternent to strengthen, even more so following the departure of John Mullin to Rotherham last week, but even the prospect of three new faces might not persuade him to part with such a key player.

Little has already found the net four times this season and has been a key figure in the Clarets positive start to the new campaign.

His presence was sorely missed in the defeat at West Brom and, having had a rare weekend off, he was back on the treatment table at Gawthorpe this morning under the guidance of physio Ian Liversedge.

He has already been ruled out of the match at Nottingham Forest on Saturday and no club will be wanting to sign him until he is fit and playing again. When he is back, Burnley may have to show real determination to keep hold of him.

Like Little, the rest of the Burnley squad has enjoyed a few days break following the cancellation of the home game against Watford, scheduled for last Friday night.

The break was hard-earned after the successful but hectic start to the new season and now the focus is already on the next game at the City Ground.

Before then Ronnie Jepson will be in charge of the reserves for a home game against Oldham Athletic on Wednesday night, a chance for a number of players to have a run out, including fit again defender Ian Cox.

Greek Under-21 striker Dimitri Papadopoulos, fresh from his impressive display against England at Ewood Park on Friday, is also hoping to get a game.