FORMER Burnley boss Adrian Heath has made a late swoop for Martin Smith, which could kill off a move to Turf Moor for the ex-Sunderland winger.

Clarets manager Stan Ternent was prepared to offer Smith a short-term deal with the prospect of a longer contract if both parties were happy.

But Heath's last-gasp move for the 24-year-old looks likely to see him move to Sheffield United on a permanent basis.

"It looks like he will be going to Sheffield United," confirmed Ternent.

"They have offered him a contract and, if he prefers that extra security, it's up to him. It's his decision and I've asked him to ring me.

"If he wants to play I'd like him to come. If I offered him a three-year deal he would sign but I'm not prepared to do that at this stage. I would like him but you can't sign them all."

Smith, who turned down the chance to stay with Sunderland at the end of last season, arrived late on the scene at Turf Moor after rejecting offers to join Ipswich Town and QPR this summer.

With most of Ternent's re-building plans and spending policies in place by that stage, it was probably too late in the day to add Smith to the squad on a permanent basis.

However, the Burnley boss tried to keep the possibility of a signing open by offering Smith a short-term contract to keep him at Turf Moor, initally a month at a time.

The picture may then have changed as the season progressed to allow a permanent deal to go ahead.

But it would be understandable if Smith opted now for a full-time contract with First Division United.

Smith's undoubted ability would have been an asset to the Clarets but, even if he opts to move on, Burnley are hardly short of left-sided players.

As well as Tom Cowan, Ternent has added Smith's former Sunderland team-mate John Mullin to his squad and he could operate in that position, while the fit-again Paul Smith is also waiting for an opportunity along with Graham Branch.

Striker Stephen Grant is expected to accept the chance to stay on at Burnley, initially in the short-term, and Ternent is facing his toughest selection task yet for Saturday's Second Division opener at Wycombe.

He confirmed today that he has known his starting line-up "for a while" but there have been few clues given away as yet.

The Clarets worked through numerous permutations in their pre-season games and even the formation Ternent will use is not yet clear.

He has played 5-3-2, 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 and away from home he could favour the latter. However, it could be that he sticks with the tried and tested formula of three central defenders and two wing-backs that saw Burnley finish last season unbeaten in 11 games.

Either way Gordon Armstrong's role could be crucial as the manager has to decide whether to deploy him in front or behind the defence which looks likely to be made up by Dean West, Steve Davis, Mitchell Thomas and Tom Cowan.

Paul Cook will also play in front of them, hopefully with Glen Little, and if Ternent plays two up front the smart money would be on Andy Payton and Andy Cooke with Alan Lee champing at the bit.

Burnley have sold out of their allocation of tickets and will have the backing of 1,300 fans at Adams Park, when the Clarets attempt to avoid defeat at their bogey ground for the first time in five visits.

Boundary Clarets departure times for Wycombe on Saturday are: leave Duke's Bar 8.15, Turf Moor 8.20, Padiham 8.30.

The daytime booking number for Burnley Supporters Club coaches has changed to 01254 231100.

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