LEE Howey's protracted move to Northampton Town should go ahead this week - and for Burnley it won't come soon enough.

The Clarets' defender completed a three-month loan spell at the Sixfields Stadium over a week ago but despite the two clubs agreeing a £50,000 fee the deal is yet to be completed.

With Howey suspended for Northampton's game last weekend - a 1-0 home defeat by Gillingham which pushed them into the Second Division relegation zone - the Cobblers were apparently in no hurry to push a deal through.

Burnley are paying the player's wages again and so will want to tie up a permanent move for the transfer-listed player as quickly as possible.

"He is talking to them at the moment and I hope to hear something later today or tomorrow," said Burnley boss Stan Ternent.

"Originally it was done on a chairman-to-chairman basis and we have had a change at that level since then. So that could have held it up a little.

"Ideally, I wanted it sorted out last week but hopefully it will be done soon."

Ironically, Howey's departure will coincide with a temporary reduction in defensive resources at Turf Moor as Neil Moore and Steve Davis both prepare to serve suspensions.

Moore, sent off against Luton Town 10 days ago, will miss Saturday's trip to Adams Park.

And Davis will be banned for the visit of promotion-chasing Gillingham a week later after picking up his eighth caution of the season in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Reading.

Moore's position would have been under threat for the visit to Adams Park anyway as Ternent is likely to play a flat back four from the start.

But Davis will be badly missed at both ends of the field against a Gillingham side riding high in the play-off places.

Ternent will hope to have Peter Swan fit again after a troublesome calf strain kept him out of the Reading game to increase his options in the coming games.

And Chris Brass may also get the chance to stake a claim for a return to front-line action in Davis's absence.

However, Ternent plays it, the Burnley boss will be forced into further changes in the coming games.

And as he tries to mould a side together, with one eye firmly on next season, the lack of continuity doesn't make it any easier to pick up positive results.

"I don't want to make excuses but we have signed a lot of players and with different players coming in it is going to take a wee while to blend and get a pattern going as a team.

"But hopefully we will do that given time," admitted central defender Brian Reid who will have to strike up a new partnership during Davis's absence at least.

Rossendale Clarets are running a coach to Saturday's clash at Wycombe. Anyone interested should contact Bev on 01706 224924.

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