Clarets boss Adrian Heath wants to tie goalkeeper Marlon Beresford to Burnley with a new Turf Moor deal.

But the £1 million-rated Burnley shotstopper is holding out on a fresh offer.

Heath has revealed he sees the Clarets number one as a key squad member next season as he begins the task of re-building.

And he wants Beresford to put pen to paper on a new contract.

"I am trying everything I can to keep him at Burnley," revealed Heath.

"I've spoken with him a couple of times and he's very open-minded about the situation.

"It is up to me and the directors to convince him that the club is going to progress, go forward and put Marlon on a stage which he thinks he deserves.

"I think he knows that I'm one of his biggest fans. He is a superb goalkeeper and his contribution has been immense over the past two weeks.

"Goalkeepers are one of the most important parts of your team. When you've got a talented goalkeeper, then you don't want to let him go. I would dearly love to sign him on again."

Beresford will be in action for the Clarets at at Walsall tonight in what could prove to be one of his final appearances if he makes a summer move away from Turf Moor.

"To be fair to Marlon I suppose he might think now is the time he needs to leave the club," added Heath.

"But sometimes the grass is not always greener on the other side.

"He has turned Arsenal down in the past, which I thought was a very bold move because of his love for first team football."

Heath, meanwhile, wants Burnley to continue their recent improvement in league form at the Bescot Stadium tonight.

Burnley from: Beresford, Parkinson, Smith, Winstanley, Joyce, Weller, Thompson, Robinson, Nogan, Eyres, Harper, Heath, Swan, Harrison, Halliwell.

Walsall from: Walker, Ntamark, Rogers, Viveash, Marsh, Mountfield, O'Connor, Bradley, Lightbourne, Wilson, Butler, Platt, Houghton, Evans.

Heath was today close to agreeing a permanent deal with Barnsley for defender Charlie Bishop. His loan period expired after the 2-0 win at Wrexham.

Tottenham striker Paul Mahorn has returned to Premiership Tottenham Hotspur after a short loan spell at Turf Moor.

The Dutch striker targeted by Adrian Heath will not be arriving in time for tomorrow night's reserve game and the Clarets boss may now be forced to travel to the continent to watch the player.

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