BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent may dip into the transfer market before the Clarets enter the crucial Christmas period, writes Andy Neild.

Burnley are currently bang on course for a promotion spot thanks to an impressive start.

But with games coming thick and fast in a festive programme which includes matches against Bury, Oxford United and Notts County, the Clarets chief is conscious of the need for a strong squad.

Ternent currently has plenty of strength in the depth with the likes of Lenny Johnrose, Ronnie Jepson, Graham Branch and Alan Lee all currently having to bide their time on the bench at the moment.

But with a number of players currently walking a suspension tightrope, Ternent does not want to be understrength at a crucial time when a team's promotion credentials are put firmly to the test.

And, although the Turf Moor transfer coffers have currently run dry, vice-chairman Ray Ingleby has gone on record as saying the club don't want to 'do a Preston' and fail to strengthen for the final push. Ternent, clearly, would like to add the odd fresh face to bolster his resources.

And, if he identifies the kind of player which could make the difference, he is confident the board would do everything they could to help strengthen his hand.

"I'd like to strengthen the team whenever and wherever I can," said Ternent.

"At the moment I'm not able to do that and players aren't always available in the run to Christmas anyway.

"Managers like to hold onto players because of the number of games you have to play over the Christmas period.

"But if someone became available that I particularly wanted then I'd go up to the chairman and I'm sure, if he could, that he would back me.

"All matches are vital but when you come to the Christmas period you have a lot of matches together so there's not much time to recover.

"And when you are playing a lot of matches together and it's competitive then you run the risk of getting bookings.

"We've done well in that department so far but Paul Cook's on four bookings, Micky Mellon's on four, and Dean West is on three.

"So we haven't had a suspension so far but, the way things are these days, it's inevitable we are going to run into them."

Burnley have been linked with moves for Birmingham City defender Gary Ablett and Kettering Town keeper Adam Sollitt recently, though such reports have been dismissed as speculation by the Turf Moor boss. But, if Ternent does decide to move on a particular target, then they would have to be of sufficient quality to improve on what he has already got.

And they would also need to have the right temperament to fit into a bubbling dressing room.

"That's important," said Ternent.

"We don't just look at abilty, we look at whether or not they will fit into our way of doing things as well.

"But that's pretty normal for a manager to did his homework like that.

"Touch wood, so far the lads we've brought in have all fitted in and we've got a good squad together now.

"But we need the strength in depth because we are going to get injuries and suspensions.

"And if some of the lads who are not currently playing get a chance, then they will stay in the side if they do well."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.