THE ball is in Ray Ingleby's court in the Turf Moor takeover saga.

The Clarets board of directors have made their intentions clear to the America-based multi-millionaire .

And an answer is expected from New York within a couple of weeks.

But the mystery third businessman is still very much in the running.

I believe Ingleby has been asked to rethink his original offer.

So the chairman of worldwide corporation Caribiner must now decide whether to press ahead with his takeover bid.

Andrew Ronnan, a member of the Clarets Independent Supporters' Association, had been in touch with Ingleby's right hand man, David Parry.

And Mr Ronnan attended the latest of the association's meetings.

He said: "I was able to report that the negotiations are going very well.

"The Burnley board are being very co-operative and the exchange of correspondence is presently with Mr Ingleby.

"I get the impression that at some stage in February the shareholders should hear something about the proposals."

Meanwhile, Rising Carlisle star Matt Jansen's proposed big-money move to Manchester United could benefit Burnley.

In the short-term, the highly-rated 20-year-old may miss from next Tuesday night's Auto Windscreens Shield Northern quarter-final with today's game against Wycombe being billed as his last for the Cumbrians.

And Carlisle could then find him hard to replace as they bid to pull away from the Second Division danger zone.

Jansen has scored 12 goals this season and struck up a productive partnership with summer signing Ian Stevens, who has found the net nine times in the last six games.

The locally produced player has attracted the interest of West Ham, Derby County and Crystal Palace but the Premiership champions have opened transfer talks after Jansen spent a week's trial at Old Trafford.

With Carlisle believed to be looking for £2m for the player the fee may be a stumbling block, but Alex Ferguson and United chairman Martin Edwards have held talks with Carlisle supremo Michael Knighton.

"We have had a chat and have made some progress. We are interested in signing him but that's as far as it goes at the moment," said Ferguson.

With Burnley drawn at home to holders Carlisle and then Preston in the next round of the Shield, their second away trip in the competition could be all the way to Wembley for the final on Sunday, April 19.

Their first would be in the two-legged Northern Area final if they forge a winning run. Burnley won't be counting their chickens but manager Chris Waddle admitted that Wembley is a nice incentive to progress.

After beating Notts County 2-0 in the second round in front of a gate of just 2,442 on Tuesday night, Waddle said: "This competition gets a lot of criticism because of the size of the crowds. But it's a nice way for the players to get to Wembley.

"Realistically the other ways I don't think will ever happen for players in this division. It is a nice little sidetrack with a nice reward at the end if you get there. A day at Wembley is for the fans and everybody but our priority is for us to get away from the bottom."

Admission arrangements for next Tuesday night's game will be the same as for the Notts County tie with prices at £7 and £3 concessions. Only the Bob Lord and Endsleigh stands will be open. If Burnley beat Carlisle, the home tie against Preston will be on Tuesday, February 17.

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