BURNLEY were today linked with Leeds United's former England international Carlton Palmer.

Clarets player-manager Chris Waddle confirmed he has enquired about Palmer's availability with a view to a loan.

And transfer rumours increased further over the weekend when Palmer and his family were guests at Saturday's 0-0 draw with Gillingham at Turf Moor.

But Waddle said: "We made an initial enquiry about Carlton around a fortnight ago but nothing has transpired. He was simply a guest of the club at the weekend. That is the situation."

Leeds United boss George Graham has indicated he will release the vastly experienced 31-year-old as he continues to re-vamp his Elland Road squad.

Meanwhile, Marco Gentile and Gerry Harrison handed a major boost to Waddle today.

The influential pair both came through a practice match at Gawthorpe yesterday and now hope to step up their fitness regime when the reserves tackle Barrow at Holker Street tomorrow. Gentile and Harrison were both injured on Burnley's pre-season tour of Northern Ireland and have not featured in Second Division action so far.

Waddle said: "It is a big lift for everybody and increases my options."

The player-manager praised Paul Weller's contribution after the midfielder staked a major claim to be included in the Clarets line-up against Southend United next weekend.

Weller returned to the Burnley squad as a second half substitute against Gillingham at the weekend - and Waddle was impressed. Waddle had left Weller out of his first team squad plans at Watford and Lincoln but added: "He did himself no harm at all with his display against Gillingham.

"Maybe he didn't appreciate the game as much as I had expected so I put him in the reserves.

"Paul looks very laid back and it appears he doesn't do enough. It is like the old cars with four gears and the new ones with five. He just seems to be stuck in fourth. But he showed me his fifth gear in the reserves and against Gillingham. "Now he has got to maintain that. The lad has got talent, there is no doubt about that. In fact, Paul Weller should be playing in a division higher.

"If he is picked in the side at Southend I want to see the same sort of commitment and desire."

Ian Duerden scored twice as the A team won 2-0 against a strong Liverpool team on Merseyside. The B team drew 4-4, also at Liverpool, with a double each for Ben Woods and Dave Collins.

"It was a smashing performance from both sides and we fielded three 15-year-olds in the B team," said coach Terry Pashley.

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