CHRIS Waddle was ready to admit defeat today - but only in his efforts to strengthen the Burnley squad for two vital Christmas games against Chesterfield and Oldham Athletic.

The Burnley player-manager has spent the festive build-up trying to reshape his squad but so far without success.

And he admitted this morning: "I have only until 12 noon today and it doesn't look as if anything is going to happen.

"I have inquired about a couple of players but some of them are on ridiculous money. To be honest, it has been a bit frustrating."

But Waddle remains defiant that his squad is good enough to start picking up enough points to climb clear of relegation trouble at the foot of Division Two.

Although he won't name names, it is well known that the Burnley boss had revived his attempts to take Gerry Creaney back to Turf Moor from Manchester City.

But it seems that cash is still the stumbling block.

With time running out before the deadline for the Boxing Day home game against Chesterfield, the Burnley boss also had to put his hopes on ice of raising extra money by moving players on.

For he revealed that, unless there is a dramatic turnaround, midfielder Damian Matthew had been unable to agree personal terms with Northampton after the clubs had negotiated a £50,000 deal. "It looks as though he will be here now for the Christmas period. Maybe they will get together again later," he said. And the two loan players Jamie Hoyland and Nigel Gleghorn, who have returned from Carlisle and Brentford respectively, both look like staying put for the time being.

"It looks as though it has come down to personal terms with Nigel Gleghorn. I don't think he could accept what was on offer," said Waddle.

"As for Carlisle, they haven't been in touch with me."

Burnley were ready to 'free' Gleghorn but it seems Carlisle were unwilling to talk about a fee for Hoyland so both men will be back on the Turf Moor wage bill.

"I have a squad of 20 for the two games, with Steve Blatherwick expected to be back from tonsilitis, though Gordon Cowans has had a bit of hamstring trouble and will need checking," said the manager.

"And there is enough ability in that squad.

"Every game is important and we need three points against Chesterfield, it's as simple as that.

"The players who are selected have to be wound up and ready to work hard for 90 minutes as we did against Fulham.

"We were very close to beating Fulham and we should have had something against Wigan.

"But we must also take our chances. We are creating them but not taking them." Waddle will give careful thought to his team for the Boxing Day game but if, as expected, today's noon deadline passed without any developments there is only so much he can do to change his team. He has added young strikers Colin Carr-Lawton and Phil Eastwood to the men under consideration as well as ex-non-League striker Kevin Henderson.

One of those three could make the bench.

Burnley are expected to choose from: Beresford, Brass, Howey, Harrison, Moore, Williams, Matthew, Ford, Barnes, Cooke, Waddle, Little, Vinnicombe, Smith, Blatherwick, Matthew, Carr-Lawton, Henderson, Eastwood.

Chesterfield beat Burnley 1-0 at Saltergate this season and are one of the group of clubs trailing the leading two.

Striker David Reeves is now fit again and looks set to play at Turf Moor where he once spent a loan spell.

They are set to select from: Mercer, Hewitt, Jules, Beaumont, Williams, Breckin, Wilkinson, Holland, Reeves, Ebdon, Perkins, Curtis, Willis, Lomas.

The annual meeting of shareholders will be held in the Centre Spot on Boxing Day morning (11am) when the board can expect some pointed questions.

Waddle is not expected to attend as the player-manager will be preparing for the game against Chesterfield in the afternoon.

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