AMBITIOUS Burnley may look to succeed where First Division clubs Ipswich Town and Queen's Park Rangers have failed and add Martin Smith to their squad for the new season.

The former Sunderland wide man played the second half of Burnley's 1-0 friendly win at Rochdale last night and will figure again at Carlisle on Saturday.

And Clarets boss Stan Ternent will then decide whether to try and bring the former England under-21 international to Turf Moor on a permanent basis in time for the start of the new campaign.

Ternent said: "I'm having a look at him. He's one I've had in mind for some time but there are still quite a few sides who would like to sign him so let's see how he does.

"It was a bit strange for him last night but he showed some nice touches and fitted in very well so I'll keep tabs on that one.

"Sunderland offered him a contract but he feels perhaps his opportunities of first-team football there may be a little limited.

"He's been to Ipswich, who I know are keen on taking him, and one or two other sides but we'll see what happens and if he likes us and we like him then perhaps something may or may not happen."

Ternent added: "I don't really know the situation regarding the finances with Martin at the moment.

"But I'm always on the look-out for good players, as good as we've got and hopefully maybe a little better for competition for places which is an important thing for us. "I'm hopeful that he'll go to Carlisle with us when again everyone will have a little taste of it."

Smith has been offered deals by both Ipswich and QPR this summer since deciding to try his luck away from Sunderland where the 24-year-old had spent all of his career.

However, it's thought that his desire to stay in the north, rather than the financial implications, prompted him to reject their advances which gives the Clarets hope of landing another player with an impressive pedigree.

Smith is certainly keen to get himself fixed up somewhere after enduring a couple of frustrating months.

"It's been a terrible summer. I was expecting to get sorted out a lot quicker," said the Wearsider, who made 115 League appearances for Sunderland, including 11 in the Premiership three seasons ago.

Although predominantly a left-sided wide player, Smith has also operated as a more central forward and he boasts a decent strike-rate in front of goal.

He has scored 25 League goals and bagged three in just four League starts last season as Peter Reid's side romped to the First Division title.

Smith was pitched straight into the fray at Spotland last night but was certainly no stranger in the Clarets camp, having played alongside Gordon Armstrong, John Mullin and Stephen Grant at Sunderland.

And he provided some moments of high quality in a full-blooded match that served its purpose without hitting any heights as a spectacle.

"I thought we started off sloppily in the middle of the park but everybody's had another run-out and there were some good things and some things to work on which is what pre-season's about," admitted Ternent. "The surface was quite bobbly but it was a fairly competitive match so I'm quite pleased and a clean sheet's always a clean sheet.

"There was a bit of magic from Glen and a nice goal so it was well worth it. And a win's a win. You've got to win the match."

The Third Division side provided a competitive match and Burnley will be relieved that a minor leg injury to Grant was the only legacy.

"We've played against three Premiership sides and they are inclined to pass it and move and so on.

"This is the opposite side and we'll have to contend with both of them through the course of the season, I'm sure. So if we're going to be any good at all we have to be able to handle it," Ternent added.

Former Clarets physio Mark Leather could be set to leave Liverpool after a row with manager Gerard Houllier. Leather, who moved from Turf Moor to Anfield in the summer of 1994, reportedly clashed with Houllier over the treatment to England striker Michael Owen's injured hamstring.

And after being left behind when Liverpool flew out today for a pre-season game in Norway, he looks to be on his way out of Anfield.

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