STAN SET TO BREAK TRANSFER RECORD

AMBITIOUS Burnley are ready to break their transfer record for the second time this season in a bid to land Coventry City striker John Aloisi.

The Clarets have made an approach to the Premiership club for the 25-year-old Australian international.

And if chairman Barry Kilby receives a favourable response from his Highfield Road counterpart Bryan Richardson then Burnley will follow up their interest with a firm offer.

No asking price has been made public but it appears that the Clarets would have to go beyond the £1m paid for Ian Moore in November to land the former Portsmouth marksman -- if Coventry could be persuaded to let him go.

Burnley boss Stan Ternent has been on the look-out for a new striker since selling Andy Cooke to Stoke City earlier this season and having failed in a bid to land Birmingham City's Dele Adebola has turned back to Aloisi as his number one target.

Ternent enquired about the City forward in the summer only to be put off by a £2 million asking price.

That figure may now be reduced, although it is far from certain that the goal-shy Sky Blues will let Aloisi move on while they are fighting against relegation from the top flight.

Ternent said: "Barry Kilby has touched base with Coventry's chairman and we are waiting for him to come back to us. If we can afford him then I will speak to the player to see if he fancies the move. He will definitely strengthen the squad."

Aloisi joined Coventry for £650,000 in December, 1998, having scored 30 goals in just 62 starts for Portsmouth following a £300,000 move from Italian club Cremonese.

He has scored half-a-dozen times this season in an injury-hit campaign but despite being fit again and on Monday earning a call up to the Australian side for an 'A' international against Mexico in California later this month is not in Strachan's immediate first-team plans.

His proven record at First Division level allied to a degree of success in the Premiership, with his best years still potentially in front of him, would make Aloisi an attractive proposition for Burnley -- if they can set up a deal and if Ternent could persuade the player too drop back down into Division One.

"He is a player I admire," added the Clarets boss. "I enquired about him in the summer but Coventry wanted £2 million for him and I said to Gordon Strachan that we couldn't afford that.

"He would bring more competition up front with Andy Payton and Ian Moore. The lad is an Australian international with a Premiership pedigree. He would give us a new dimension to our game.

"Aloisi is at the right age for us and he has a proven track record. I have let Alan Lee and Andy Cooke go so I am looking at bringing in better players into the striking role."

Portsmouth were also interested in taking Aloisi back to Fratton Park but the player isn't thought to be keen on a return to the south coast.