Ternent eyes extension

Ternent completed the most dramatic transfer in Burnley's recent history when Wright joined the Clarets from Celtic on a contract until the summer, when the 36-year-old goalscorer plans to retire.

However, Ternent revealed that he harbours hopes of extending the deal.

"They say he's in the twilight of his career. That's nonsense. I know him and don't rule out the chance that Ian Wright might sign another contract for Burnley football club," said the Burnley boss.

He added: "That's up to Ian. I think you should play as long as you can, but it's up to his other commitments.

"But I certainly wouldn't rule it out."

Wright today appeared alongside Richard and Judy on ITV's 'This Morning'.

But he is expected to take part in his first training session tomorrow.

And, if he lives up to the wave of expectation around Turf Moor and helps the Clarets to promotion, he could feasibly be forced into a re-think about his future.

Should that be the case, Burnley might have first bite at the cherry in pursuit of his services.

"I would hope so but it depends what Ian wants to do. I've signed him until the end of the season and then he's a free agent again. "And, of course, he's a free spirit. So he goes where he wants but, if he enjoys his football and he likes it up here and we do well, anything could happen," Ternent added.

Wright won't be committing himself to anything other than trying to help the Clarets make it up into Division One at this stage.

But after signing his contract and checking in at Turf Moor yesterday he said: "I never close the door. I said I would like to finish at the end of the season because that's when my contract ended.

"Now it seems, for whatever reason, that Burnley look like they're going somewhere. It seems like they're buzzing.

"People are always asking if I am going to carry on but first I want to play so that people can see I am still worth my place in the team.

"That way, if you prove you are, you can make the decision.

"When you hang up your boots you can miss the game badly and that has weighed on my mind for the last year or so. But I just want to play football and wherever is prepared to give me that opportunity will always get 100 per cent commitment from me.

"What I am going to do is show that I am fit enough to play on after this season. "I know that I can still score goals in the First Division, which I did at Nottingham Forest."

He added: "If anyone can talk me into it Stan can. Football is my first love and it always will be.

"I've had some blinding things that have happened to me in the last couple of years in respect of television and things.

"People think that's a natural thing for me to go into but I would gladly swap it for another 10 years playing. Gladly, because football means everything for me.

"That's why I'm privileged they want me at this club and I'll do the best I can."

Wright had never been to Turf Moor prior to yesterday's press conference but was quickly taken by his new surroundings and the welcome he received.

"The stadium is excellent. I am very, very impressed with the place. Obviously Stan's got a really good team and I don't think there's any other Second Division club I would come to.

"They say they're pleased to have me but I'm very pleased with the opportunity to be here.

"There are people standing out there in the rain. It's fantastic and I'm looking forward to Saturday. "The fans are fervent and Ian Wright needs that. I'm a fans' man and I need that rapport with the fans," added the former Arsenal marksman, who will make his Burnley debut in front of a near full-house against Wigan.

"I am always raring to go to play football. I am always raring to train and I'm always trying to answer challenges and this is another challenge for me.

"And I'm quite confident that I will do well here," he added.

Long-time admirer Ternent is delighted to have finally landed Wright, whose goals could propel the Clarets towards the automatic promotion places.

He said: "Ian Wright is a natural goalscorer. People have said to me he's a bit long in the tooth but I say so is Mitchell Thomas, so is Richard Gough, so is Tony Cottee. They have a natural ability. He's a naturally fit lad and I'm delighted to have got him.

"He's a fantastic person, he's got a bubbly personality and it's a lift for the whole town, for the whole club and for everything.

"A lot of people get the wrong impression of Ian Wright. He's a very kind, caring person. He's an exciting player, a one-off. "We're in the top half-dozen and our ambition is to get the club into the First Division. We've got a chance and I think Ian coming to the club can only help that.

"I think it's good business. We're signing a lad who's a legendary goalscorer. Andy Payton, Andy Cooke and Ian Wright. That's not bad."

Tickets are now on sale for Burnley's top-of-the-table clash against Preston at Turf Moor on March 4.

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