WELSH international Barry Horne has emerged as a strong Burnley transfer target.

Horne is available to leave Birmingham as Trevor Francis revamps his squad at St Andrews.

And that has alerted Clarets manager Adrian Heath who today confirmed his interest in the 34 year-old midfielder, signed from Everton for £275,000 a year ago.

Heath said: "I've spoken to the player and there has been contact.

"Barry does not appear to be in Birmingham's long term plans and has indicated he would be interested in joining us.

"He is still under contract at Birmingham and we will have to see what develops.

"I'm certainly interested and Barry Horne is the type of player I want to bring to Burnley. However, there is nothing imminent from our point of view. I am just monitoring the situation.

"He is just one of a few players I am interested in as I continue to try and add to our midfield strength."

Horne carved out his reputation with Wrexham before later spells with Portsmouth, Southampton and Everton.

And he was a regular in the Birmingham team until a disagreement with Francis in January saw him axed from the Blues team.

The one question mark would be over his age, but sources in Birmingham say that Horne has no injury problems and prides himself on his fitness levels. Horne was due to return to Goodison Park on transfer deadline day as a player-coach at Everton, but the deal subsequently fell through after Joe Royle's sacking.

Heath has at least four targets on his summer shopping list, including a Second Division full back, a Premiership international striker and a First Division central defender.

Meanwhile, ex-Clarets star Trevor Steven has been forced to quit the game through injury at the age of 33.

The former England midfielder, capped 36 times for his country, has been plagued by a string of knocks and has retired after starting just 24 league games in the past three seasons.

Steven, who began his career as a Turf Moor apprentice before a £300,000 move to Everton in July 1983, was recently linked to a return to Burnley in a coaching capacity.

Steven became Ranger's biggest transfer when he moved to French ginats Marseiile for £5.5 million in 1991 but the move turned sour amid financial wrangles and he returned to Ibrox after just one season.

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