MARK Patterson's £200,000 transfer to Burnley sensationally collapsed today as the Turf Moor crisis deepened.

Burnley have called off the deal claiming to be unhappy with an Achilles tendon injury which had threatened to rule Patterson out of the start of the new Second Division season.

The news will arrive as a savage blow to the player and Burnley fans less than 24 hours after Adrian Heath quit the club to join Everton.

"I'm sick, fed-up and totally devasated by Burnley's decision," said an angry Patterson.

"They've knocked the transfer on the head following Adrian Heath's decision to go to Everton.

"I was told yesterday, a couple of hours after his appointment at Goodison Park. "Adrian Heath was fighting my corner for me and he was going to make me captain next season.

"He wanted to push the transfer deal through because he knew I'd get fully fit.

"I've trained on it all summer and I've every confidence that everything would have been okay.

"I've always been a quick healer and I was very confident that my Achilles tendon would stand up to it.

"But Burnley have decided otherwise and now I will report back to training with Sheffield United next week.

"There is a possibility of me joining Blackpool. If that happens, I just want to come back to Turf Moor and show them what Burnley have missed by not signing me."

Ironically, Heath agreed the deal with Howard Kendall at Sheffield United earlier this month - although it appears nothing was ever signed.

Patterson added: "I think Burnley have been over cautious because of what happened to Vince Overson last season.

"It is a funny business football. One minute I am captaining Sheffield United and the next moment I am on loan at Southend United.

"Then my move to Burnley collapses. It is all desperately disappointing because I was so looking forward to be playing at Burnley next season."

Darwen-born Patterson began his career with Blackburn Rovers before later spells with Preston, Bury, Bolton, Sheffield and Southend United on loan.

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