TURF Moor fans' favourite David Eyres today put pen to paper on a new two-and-a-half year deal.

And that means that Eyres is almost certain to finish his professional career with Burnley.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph revealed last month that Eyres was having contract talks with manager Adrian Heath.

Now he has reached an agreement on a contract which will keep him at Turf Moor until the year 2000. Eyres' form under the new management has been a revelation in his new role as a left-sided, attacking wing-back.

Turf Moor chief Heath said: "I'm absolutely delighted that David Eyres has agreed to sign.

"David knows what I think about his play. His level of performance since I became manager of Burnley has been amazing. His contribution should not be underestimated because he has scored some very important goals for us this season.

"He is consistently good and you always know what you are going to get from David. He is popular in the dressing room and the supporters like him too." Heath added: "He is a very valuable member of our squad and has an important role to play here.

"David retains a youthful enthusiasm for the game and that rubs off on other people. He is a very fit lad and can run all day."

Eyres said: "I've always said that I wanted to finish my career with Burnley and I'm really pleased to have agreed a contract that is going to keep me here.

"I'm very happy at Burnley and I think there will be exciting times ahead."

Eyres becomes the second senior Clarets professional to pledge his future to Turf Moor in the wake of Paul Smith signing a contract last month.

Gerry Harrison and Glen Little are both fit again after recent injuries and could return to the Clarets line-up against York tomorrow.

Burnley B entertain Bury at Gawthorpe tomorrow (11am) while the A team tackle Wrexham.

Burnley's young defender Chris Brass is on stand-by for the Football League squad for the annual representative match against Italian Serie B select at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa on February 19. Bolton's Scott Taylor is also included in the squad.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.