BURNLEY have kicked out a hefty £500,000 bid for Turf Moor's rising star Paul Smith, writes TONY DEWHURST.

I can reveal that a Premiership club has made two separate offers to the Clarets for the services of the 21-year-old - but Burnley have said NO.

But the un-named club could be back in with a further tempting offer in the next 48 hours. That would smash the £750,000 Luton Town paid for Steve Davis in August 1995.

I also understand that Burnley have also had a "firm enquiry" for transfer-listed striker Kurt Nogan and a deal could be on the cards before the weekend.

Nogan was axed from the squad for Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Peterborough United, further increasing speculation that he could have played his last game for Burnley.

He was due to play for the Clarets second string in tonight's Pontins League Cup tie at Doncaster Rovers.

The offer for Smith is not a surprise as a pack of Premiership and First Division clubs have kept a close eye on his outstanding progress this season.

Burnley, of course, would be reluctant to let any of their more promising players leave Turf Moor, but a fee in excess of half a million would release vital resources for Heath to play the transfer market before this month's transfer deadline day.

Heath has already stated he has at least two targets under review and a major signing would considerably boost Burnley's bid for a play-off berth.

Meanwhile, Heath was understandably delighted with Burnley's dazzling 5-0 win over Peterborough United. "Barney took his goals magnificently and what can you say about him," said Heath. "He is in red-hot form and all three goals were great strikes. "We defended well and it was a very professional performance from the players who worked very hard to achieve this result.

"Achieving another a clean sheet is also a very pleasing factor.

"Nobody can convince me that we can't go on and claim a play-off place. We are more than capable of beating the likes of Watford and Luton and this result sets us up perfectly for the game at Brentford on Saturday."

Heath also had special words of praise for striker Andy Cooke, the scorer of Burnley's fourth goal.

Cooke was drafted into the starting line-up for the first time since mid-January after a troublesome hamstring injury.

"Cookey's performance was outstanding taking into account he was so short of match and training ground practice.

"He is such a willing lad and works his socks off. He has got tremendous potential and is a striker with great promise.

"I think the ovation our crowd gave him underlined what they thought of his performance and they appreciate the work that he puts in."

In an interesting tactical switch Heath played transfer-target Smith in the left wing-back role with David Eyres still injured.

He added: "We thought we might be on top for long periods against Peterborough and although Chris Vinnicombe can play that role with no problem, I thought that Smithy's extra pace and power and delivery of the ball into the penalty box would be of more use to us.

"Away from home I may have done it differently, but it clearly gave us something extra on Saturday."

Former Clarets striker John Mullin scored his first Premiership goal for Sunderland on Saturday - in a 2-1 win over champions Manchester United at Roker Park.

Mullin slid home Sunderland's 76th minute winner past Peter Schmeichel - but ended the match with broken nose.

"It was all worth it to see that goal going in," he said. "I used to stand on the Stretford End as a youngster and Mark Hughes was my favourite.

"But now I'm Sunderland through and through. Even my family, who all Mancunians, aren't loyal to United any more. They are red-and-white Rokerites now."

Mullin left Burnley for Roker Park in a cut-price £40,000 deal in 1995.

Colin Carr-Lawton was on the mark for the A team as they recorded a 1-0 win over. The B team were beaten 3-1 by with David Henry the scorer.

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