CHRIS Waddle wants Glen Little to be a key part of his plans next season rather than cashing in on his talents this summer.

Little has been linked with a move to Premiership hopefuls Sunderland but Clarets boss Waddle has dismissed the transfer talk as the work of an agent.

Burnley have previously had offers for Little from Stockport and Notts County and are sure to receive further enquiries about the right-sided midfielder this summer after his inspired performances since coming into the side in January.

But Waddle is anxious to hold on to Little and has backed up his intentions with the offer of a new improved three-year contract to replace his existing deal which still has 12 months to run.

"We have offered him a contract and whether he accepts that or not he will still be here next season," said Waddle.

"He has shown good form and I would like to see him here next season with the likes of Andy Cooke, Paul Weller and Paul Smith-because we want to build a team round them."

And the player-boss also dismissed claims that Little could form part of a deal that would bring John Mullin back to Turf Moor from Sunderland. "The object is get John Mullin in and not get one in and one out," stressed Waddle who is keen to play the two in the same Burnley side as he aims for a promotion-chasing campaign next term rather than a fight to beat the drop.

I understand crowd favourite Little, a £100,000 buy from Glentoran in December 1996, is keen to stay at Turf Moor provided he can agree terms on his new deal.

And although it took until the New Year for Waddle to hand him a permanent place in the side, Little's name will be one of the first on the team sheet in August.

The form of the 22-year-old was one of the key reasons behind Burnley's late revival which saw them avoid relegation with a win over Plymouth on the final day of the season.

Little, who collected a host of player-of-the season awards, played in 22 of Burnley's last 24 league games and scored his first league goal in February to secure an ultimately crucial point against Brentford.

Meanwhile, Waddle is waiting to hear back from the players he offered contracts to last week.

With several of the squad back from an end-of-season break today there may me some movement this week.

But it's likely that firm decisions will take a little longer as out-of-contract players weigh up their options and in some cases look for further negotiations with Waddle.

Burnley's Second Division rivals Oldham and Millwall today appointed new managers following the respective departures of Neil Warnock and Billy Bonds.

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