PAUL Barnes' record-breaking move to Turf Moor could come a step closer today.

Further discussions between Birmingham City boss Trevor Francis and Clarets chief Adrian Heath were planned after Burnley made their £300,000 bid public yesterday.

Heath confirmed: "We've made an offer to Birmingham and the deal is still very much alive.

"Birmingham have turned down that initial approach. Now it's up to us to decide whether we increase that bid.

"Paul Barnes is a quality striker. John (Ward) brought him to York and I played with him at Stoke. We know all about the player. "Most important of all, he is a striker who can score goals at this level."

Heath added: "We've spoken to another First Division club and we've put an offer in for another player. We'll just have to be patient and see if it is accepted.

"But I hope to have a fresh face in our starting line-up at Gillingham." Trevor Francis confirmed: "I don't really want to lose Paul Barnes but Adrian Heath has shown strong interest and it's my duty to listen."

Meanwhile, Heath has added Peter Swan to his squad for tonight's Coca-Cola Cup first round, second leg tie against Mansfield Town at Turf Moor. The Clarets defend a 3-0 lead from Field Mill but they are likely to be without defender Gerry Harrison who suffered a knee injury at Millwall on Saturday. Heath added: "We've given ourselves a great chance of reaching the second round but we will not be taking anything for granted.

"Mansfield certainly won't come to Turf Moor tonight to simply roll over. We want to make sure that we win the tie and go through in style.

"There's no way I will be risking anything - but it would be nice to think we could be far enough ahead by half-time to give two or three players a hard-earned rest."

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