BURY could be facing a summer tug-of-war with Lancashire rivals Burnley for the services of boss Stan Ternent and his assistant Sam Ellis.

The Shakers' management duo are certain to be high on the Turf Moor side's hit-list if Adrian Heath takes up a reported offer to join Howard Kendall in a 'dream-ticket' at Everton.

Having already lost assistant chief Colin Harvey to the Toffees, Heath's possible departure would leave Burnley looking for a new backroom team.

Forty-one-year-old Ternent lives within earshot of Turf Moor and has harboured a soft spot for the Clarets since his teenage years.

The Bury manager joined Burnley as a 17-year-old apprentice and spent five years at the club before moving to Carlisle United.

Although Ternent is Bury's most successful manager ever he has made no secret of his affection for the East Lancashire club and having just secured a second straight promotion for the Shakers is seen in some quarters as the ideal man to take Burnley back into the First Division.

Neither Ternent, who is currently on holiday, nor Ellis have formal contracts at Gigg Lane and the manager has already been touted as a candidate for jobs at Reading and Stoke City.

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