BURNLEY have dismissed speculation that Glasgow Rangers ace Trevor Steven is heading back to Turf Moor.

Several sources in Scotland today reported that Steven is ready to link up with former Evertonians Colin Harvey and Adrian Heath as part of a revamped Turf Moor backroom team in the summer.

But manager Heath was mystified by the rumours and laughed off the story as "utter nonsense."

He said: "This is a new one on me. For a start we couldn't afford the money he would want.

"We are talking about a very highly paid footballer here. I wonder where these stories come from. There is nothing in it whatsoever."

Steven is expected to leave Ibrox when his contract expires in June but has recently expressed his interest in a coaching post when his career concludes.

The former Claret, now 34, joined Burnley as an apprentice in 1980 and was one of Burnley's most talented discoveries in the past two decades.

He left Burnley for Everton for £300,000 in 1983 and went on to play at the highest level with Everton, Marseille and had two spells with Glasgow Rangers.

Steven, capped 36 times by England, achieved the feat of winning League championship medals in three different countries.

Meanwhile, the Clarets chief is hoping to field a First Division triallist in Monday's Pontins League fixture against Hull City at Turf Moor.

Heath added: "The player, from Division One, has spent the last week with another club and he will probably link up with us on Monday. If that happens we hope to play him in the reserves on Monday."

Heath will also run the rule over Southampton's Paul Tisdale and Everton youngster Chris Price, both currently on trial at Turf Moor.

The Pontin's League fixture at Mansfield, postponed last week, will take place at Field Mill this Thursday.

Burnley's adopted horses, "Up the Clarets" and "Turf Moor" are preparing for their first races next week.

"Turf Moor" is pencilled in to run the 2.20 race at Carlisle on Friday while "Up the Clarets" could run at Leicester a day later, a few miles down the road from Burnley's game at Notts County.

Hundreds of Burnley fans have enrolled as Valley Paddock Racing Members and will get a chance to visit trainer Jonjo O'Neill's stables at Skelton near Penrith at a special members open day on Saturday, May 17.

For a free brochure on the horses ring 01254 822330 or write to Valley Paddocks Racing, PO Box 40, Clitheroe, Lancs BB7 9GA.

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