STAN Ternent was quick to stress today that Andy Cooke remained a key member of his first team squad - following speculation that the striker might be on his way to Crewe Alexandra.

The Burnley boss refused outright to become involved in the claims, reported yesterday, that a deal had been set-up.

But he reaffirmed his faith in the player's future at Turf Moor.

A Sunday newspaper alleged that Burnley had accepted a £600,000 offer from First Division Crewe for Cooke, but said there could be a problem over personal terms.

Ternent refused to confirm or deny the report but had a few harsh words to say about it.

"This has been going round for a while," he said.

"Andy Cooke is a Burnley players and I cannot comment on what is purely speculation.

"Newspapers have their own job to do I suppose but Andy Cooke is an integral part of my squad.

"And all this speculation just has an unsettling effect on the player.

"I think speculation like that is a load of rubbish."

Ternent recently strengthened his attacking resources by adding Aston Villa's Alan Lee and Sunderland's John Mullin to the squad.

And it is always possible that if someone made a big enough offer for one of his players it could be acceptable.

Ternent would then probably use the money to sign other players. For he confirmed that if anyone became available he felt could improve the squad and was affordable, then Burnley would not hesitate to go back into the transfer market again.

The most important thing for the manager is that he wants depth and competition for places.

With last season's top scorer Andy Payton also very firmly in the equation he now has plenty of people competing in attack.

Mullin also has the advantage of being able to play wide or in midfield.

Crewe have had a long-standing interest in Cooke and sources close to Gresty Road said the report stemmed from a claim that the striker had been seen there quite recently.

Meanwhile, as he builds up to this week's two big friendlies against Everton and Sunderland, Ternent has something closer to home to concern him.

Chris Brass must see a specialist about a niggling groin injury.

Even surgery cannot be ruled out at this stage but the manager is keeping an open mind and hoping for the best.

Ternent believes he has a far stronger squad than the one which began last season and will keep his fingers crossed that the verdict on Brass is positive.

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