STAN Ternent is fighting to keep Paul Weller at Turf Moor.

But the new Burnley boss believes it's a battle he should never have had to face had Burnley moved sooner to agree a new deal with the player.

"He is out of contract and that's a situation that should never have been allowed to arise," said Ternent.

Weller has been offered a new three-year agreement but as he is out of contract this summer Burnley are powerless to stop him moving on if he wants.

They would get a fee for the 23-year-old midfielder - provided he stays in this country - but that would probably arise from a tribunal and fall short of the likely long-term value of the player to Burnley.

Weller, who came out of hospital on Wednesday after treatment for a stomach problem, wants to stay at Turf Moor and that may be enough to tip the balance Burnley's way. But naturally he will want to get as good a deal as possible and couldn't be blamed for talking to other interested parties.

Ternent has made his position clear, however, adding: "I have spoken to Paul and I am going to speak to him again when I get back from holiday. I will sort it out if I can because I would like him to stay." Ternent inherited a position whereby six senior players were out of contract and considering new deals when he replaced Chris Waddle.

Mark Winstanley has accepted his new two-year offer and Ternent will hold further talks with a few of the others.

He added: "I want to get that sorted out to establish who's staying and who's going. When we know where we are up to I can start formulating something in my mind for pre-season."

With players' contracts expiring at the end of June some firm movement can be expected after that.

Players available nationwide under the Bosman ruling are likely to make their minds up on offers from their existing clubs or prospective future employers.

On the takeover front, time was running out for the backers of Peter Shackleton.

Barcelona-based administrator Ian Burns, a spokesman for an oil and minerals company with reserves worth more than 750 million dollars, said a conclusion had been expected by today.

But he stressed that was not a cut-off point and informed the club that further delays were a possibility as the backers wait for a conclusion of a major merger.

The Burnley board, however, are rapidly losing patience with the situation.

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