CLARETS boss Stan Ternent will have to bide his time before moving into the transfer market.

In an ideal world Ternent would have looked to build from a position of strength, following the example of Second Division leaders Wigan who last week spent £260,000 on Portsmouth midfielder Alan McLoughlin despite not having lost a game this season.

But he will have to wait for money to come into the club and also for potential targets to become available before he bids to stiffen his promotion-chasing squad.

"If we show a £1.8 million loss we've got to put that right somewhere along the line.

"In another six, eight or nine months time, there might be more money available to strengthen the team. If I want some money now I'll go to the chairman and I know that, if he has it, he will give me it. But I am quite happy at the moment," said Ternent.

And although he feels he can improve his squad, the boss added: "The players I have in mind are not available at the moment."

Loan signings may also be out of the question, unless Burnley are hit by a spate of injuries.

"To get better than I have got would be difficult to get them on loan," Ternent said.

"One of the problems would be that the wages are out of my scope because they would have to come to us from squads in the Premiership or a good First Division outfit.

"I have a facility to use five loans but I prefer to spend time with my own and bring them on and get a team spirit and a camaraderie because then you can move mountains." Yet despite being handicapped in the transfer market, Ternent remained bullish about seventh-placed Burnley's promotion prospects going into today's home game against Cardiff City.

"Injuries and suspensions are bound to come into it but I have a far stronger squad of players than I had last year and I am hopeful that we can get a promotion this year," he said.

Chairman Barry Kilby told shareholders at the club's AGM that the board is trying to raise in excess of £1 million in a bid to help Ternent strengthen his side in the promotion run-in if necessary.

"There are plans to bring in further finance," he said. "There was just over £1.2 million worth of shares not taken up or allocated in the rights issue and we would like those shares to be taken up to get cash into the club.

"Ray Ingleby is working hard to persuade people to invest in shares and create more capital."

Kilby added: "We do want to get out of this division this year but we have got to watch our cash. We lost £1.8 million and we are losing money now. "With our receipts and wage bill, the only way to be up with the Wigans and Prestons is to run at a loss.

"But we are in the process of trying to get in another £1 million. Any cash we get in we will look at the situation and spend. We are aware of what happened to Preston (who faltered on the run-in) last year."

Shirt sponsors P3 Computers are keen to renew their deal with Burnley when the current one expires this summer.

The company and the club are due to open talks in January.

Tickets for Burnley's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Coventry on Saturday, January 8 go on sale to season ticket holders on Monday.

Tickets are priced £17 for adults and £5 for concessions.

Any remaining tickets will go on general sale on Wednesday, December 29.

Priority will be given to those who can produce a ticket stub from the Division Two game against Oxford at Turf Moor on Tuesday December 28.

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