CHRIS Waddle is hoping to keep Burnley's top players together - but won't be held to ransom in contract talks.

Waddle believes he has a decent squad at his disposal and would like to keep the nucleus together for a concerted push for success next season.

But under the Bosman ruling Gerry Harrison, Damian Matthew, Mark Winstanley, Chris Woods, Jamie Hoyland and Chris Vinnicombe are all free to join other clubs for nothing.

Paul Weller is also out of contract and would be able to secure a move - at a fee - if he wanted.

Waddle has made contract offers to them all which are under consideration at the moment but won't break the bank to persuade players to stay.

"I think the offers made to them are very good offers and if the lads accept them I will be delighted but if not we won't be held to ransom.

"The object is to get them signed up but we have got values for players and we won't exceed that. There will be a lot of players available."

It's likely that several players will be shopping around and will also submit revised requests to the Clarets.

Waddle discussed the contract situation with Burnley chairman Frank Teasdale again last Friday and the results of those talks will be made clear to the rest of the Clarets board tonight when the latest takeover situation will also come under discussion. But there was still no indication today that Peter Shackleton's money had arrived with the club.

Further negotiations with some of the out-of-contract players are expected and Waddle added: "It's early stages. I have put my point of view that I do want to keep a lot of them. I have said I want them to stop because I see the makings of a decent team."

Who Waddle adds to his squad will depend largely on which players agree to sign up again, although the permanent signing of Sunderland striker John Mullin is expected to be pursued regardless.

"We have got a decent squad. I would like to add John and if one or two turn down their contracts I will calculate the squad and see where we need to strengthen," he said.

The PFA is currently drawing up a list of players available under the Bosman ruling this summer which will be circulated to all clubs. Waddle will no doubt be studying that closely between now and July 1 when Burnley report back for pre-season training and it becomes crystal clear who will be pinning their colours to the Clarets' mast next term.

Bristol Rovers, who beat Southend on the last day of the season to help keep Burnley up, enhanced their Second Division promotion hopes with a 3-1 play-off first leg win over Northampton yesterday.

However, a goal from ex-Claret John Gayle gave the Cobblers a glimmer of hope for Wednesday's return at the Sixfields Stadium.

In the other semi-final, Fulham and Grimsby drew 1-1 on Saturday with a David Smith goal cancelling out Peter Beardsley's penalty for the 10-man Cottagers who had Paul Moody sent off.

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