SEVENTIES soccer legend Alan Hudson says Burnley chief Adrian Heath is the man to replace Lou Macari.

Hudson believes Stoke City were wrong to let Heath leave the Victoria Ground on free transfer to Burnley in 1992. Now Hudson says Heath MUST be one of the names considered when the Potteries club draw up their manager short list next week.

Hudson, who has applied for the job and wants to appoint Frank Worthington as his number two, said: "Inchy is doing great things at Burnley and I think he will succeed there.

"But I've always thought he would be an ideal replacement for Lou Macari. He is a bright bloke and the fans would give him a great welcome down there because he is one of them.

"Stoke should never have let him go for a second time. They should have groomed him to replace Lou and Inchy would have proved an ideal replacement. "He is a Potteries boy and has the sort of charisma to launch a new era when Stoke move into their ground (Britannia Stadium) at the start of next season.

"I played against Inchy in a charity match recently and it was great to see him showing those great touches that made him such a brilliant partner for Gary Lineker and Graeme Sharp during the glory days at Everton.

"I was quick to remind him that he should not hang up his boots at any cost because his ability and experience is vital for Burnley and the young players he has at Turf Moor."

John Ward's Bristol City are bidding to sign former England international midfielder Geoff Thomas on a free transfer from Wolves.

Thomas, 32, is having talks with the Ashton Gate outfit after being released by Wolves last month.

Former Clarets assistant Ward said: "As a former England player he has seen and done most things in football and his experience would be a tremendous asset to us."

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