FORMER Burnley favourite John Mullin could be one of the players on Stan Ternent's summer shopping list.

The Clarets boss will make moves to improve his squad in the close season as he looks to continue the development of a side that is promising to end the current campaign on a high note.

And he confirmed that Mullin, who Ternent confirmed as a potential target when he took over last year, is likely to figure in his thinking.

"I would be interested in John Mullin if I could get him in our wage structure.

"I think he's pro-Burnley and the supporters think highly of him," said Ternent.

Mullin is understood to be out of contract at Sunderland in the summer, having moved from Turf Moor to join the Wearsiders four years ago.

And the 23-year-old, who enjoyed a successful six-match loan spell back with the Clarets last season, may not have a long-term future with the Football League champions.

The former Burnley trainee played a key role in Sunderland's early season success when he impressed in a midfield role in place of broken leg victim Lee Clark. But a groin operation, Clark's return and the Wearsiders near immaculate form has limited his chances since.

And at this stage of his career, Mullin, probably more of an attacking midfielder than an out-and-out striker these days, is likely to want a more regular slice of first-team action.

However, the former Turf Moor starlet, whose injury record would be closely monitored by the Clarets chief, would be just one of several players Ternent will have in mind as potential reinforcements to his squad.

"I would be interested in anybody who would strengthen Burnley Football Club," he stressed. "The squad is not as strong as I would anticipate it being at the start of next season.

"Competition for places is the most important thing at any club, plus the youth development side.

"Certainly I will strengthen the squad, there's no doubt about that."

Apart from mentioning Mullin in despatches, Ternent is not likely to identify his targets as he weighs up players available under the Bosman ruling and those that may be prised away from their current clubs for a fee.

His plans may also be influenced by which of his current players stay on at Turf Moor.

Of the 14 players on duty in Burnley's 4-1 win at Stoke last Saturday three are out of contract in the summer, namely Ally Pickering, Tom Cowan and Ronnie Jepson, and a fourth, Paul Cook, is on loan from Stockport County.

Brian Reid and Mark Robertson have been offered new terms but Ternent is yet to reveal his retained list, having until May 15 to make contract offers to players.

And in some cases, futures may depend on which division Burnley are in next season, although one more positive result in their last three games should confirm the Clarets Second Division status.

But either way, Ternent will have to make decisions on the likes of Peter Swan, Neil Moore, Steve Morgan, Frank Kval, Kevin Henderson, Phil Eastwood, Colin Carr-Lawton, Carl Smith and Mark Ford, who is likely to head the list of departures from Turf Moor.

Meanwhile, Northampton entertain in-form Wigan tonight, knowing that a point will take them above Oldham and out of the bottom four.

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