STAN Ternent is fighting tooth and nail to keep Gerry Harrison at Turf Moor and has made the out-of-contract star the best offer he can muster, writes PETER WHITE.

But the Burnley boss also knows that he faces a big job to persuade Harrison to commit himself to the club in the face of other bids.

Luton Town have already made the player an offer and, as we exclusively revealed last week, Sunderland have spoken to him too.

Our story was labelled in another local newspaper as "unfounded" but both Ternent and Sunderland manager Peter Reid have confirmed that talks have taken place.

Ternent, set to have more discussions with the player, said today: "I have already made him an offer and am now awaiting his reply.

"That lad should never have been allowed to run out of contract. With a year to run, he should have been given another one or sold.

"I am now left with the short straw but I want Gerry Harrison to stay at Turf Moor and I have made him the best offer I can.

"But I am competing with a club like Sunderland."

Reid said: "I have had a chat with the lad and something could develop.

"He's available on a free under Bosman but, out of courtesy, I have spoken to Stan Ternent.

"I understand he had a very successful season with Burnley and they are hoping to persuade him to sign a new contract. "But I am quite hopeful. He could be an asset."

Paul Weller is another player that Ternent would dearly like to keep at Turf Moor and he will be trying to persuade him to accept another contract.

"There are a few sides chasing him as well. Through no fault of my own, I have inherited these problems," said the manager.

Ternent has promised that once he has sorted out the players in out-of-contract situations, he will tell the supporters the full story.

"The punters have not been told too much but I will tell them everything about the football side," he stressed.

"They might not like what they hear but they will get the truth from me.

"I want that kind of relationship with them."

Jamie Hoyland's comments about the way he left Turf Moor were also dismissed by the manager who said there had been a contract there for him if he had not declined it.

"He was made an offer so he could either have a free transfer or take that contract," explained Ternent.

"I said to him 'That's the deal' and he said 'No'. Jamie Hoyland refused it. I am not prepared to talk about figures because that would not be right. But it was quite a lot of money.

"As for a coaching job, he is not qualified to coach and, besides, I have never seen him work."

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