GORDON Cowans has expressed his desire to remain as part of the coaching set-up at Turf Moor, writes PETE OLIVER.

Cowans guided Burnley reserves to the Pontin's League Second Division title in his first season in the post but accepts that his fate will depend on who comes into the Clarets' hot seat.

"I am hoping to stay on but that will be up to the manager who comes in," he confirmed today.

"I have enjoyed it and the lads have been superb. They have shown a good attitude. They say you are only as good as what you work with and I have had some good players."

Cowans has held talks with chairman Frank Teasdale about his future but the final decision is likely to depend on what coaching staff the new manager decides to bring with him.

And Cowans believes that a swift appointment will be a blessing for everybody concerned.

"That would be good for the club," he added. "It needs to be sorted out for the club and the supporters' sake never mind which way it goes for myself because the potential is frightening."

Cowans also faces an uncertain future over his playing career as he battles to overcome a problem with his vision.

The former England international proved he can still operate at Second Division level in eight appearances for the Clarets this season.

But the on-going effects of the mystery eye complaint means he can't contemplate any plans to keep on playing at the moment.

The 39-year-old midfielder said: "That is a problem and as yet I haven't found a solution.

"It started about two years ago when I was playing a game and started to get blurred vision. "I saw a neurologist and had a scan and he put it down to a type of migraine and tried me on some tablets."

Those haven't worked, however, and Cowans added: "I played a reserve game about a month ago and had to come off at half-time. It was embarrassing really. Until I get my eyes sorted I can't really think about it."

Meanwhile, Burnley have drawn up a managerial short list as they close in on a replacement for Chris Waddle.

The Clarets board has narrowed the field of candidates for the boss's job at Turf Moor.

And while it has not been revealed how many names are now in the hat it appears that the board are concentrating on a small hard core of wanted men.

With an appointment expected to be less than a fortnight away the club can be expected to whittle down that list further over the next few days as they confirm which managers in jobs will be available and set up a series of interviews.

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