WHEELER dealer Adrian Heath (pictured) could sacrifice one of his Turf Moor big guns to fund a Burnley rebuilding programme.
And that could mean selling either 24-goal leading scorer Kurt Nogan or £1 million-pound rated goalkeeper Marlon Beresford before Thursday's transfer deadline.
Although the Burnley board of directors have promised Heath cash help to assist his project, the Turf Moor player-boss may have to sell to finance his overall plan.
Explained Heath: "It is not a situation that I'm actively pursuing. But if the opportunity arose that I could sell one player to bring in three or four quality faces with the money generated, then I would have to seriously look at that option."
Heath issued a "hands off" Nogan warning last week but even than admitted he would listen if the right offer came along.
Heath is chasing at least THREE new signings and has turned his attentions elsewhere today after the proposed £125,000 deal to bring Jimmy Willis from Leicester City collapsed last night.
"I'm pursuing all avenues open to me and I hope to have at least a couple of faces in by Thursday," said Heath.
"But I will not bring players in just to see this season out. I am building long-term and I want players of quality who I can build a foundation around over the next two years.
"I want, if possible, to sign a defender, a midfielder and a striker.
"Obviously, I was very disappointed that the Jimmy Willis transfer could not proceed because I think he would have benefited us.
"The deal was very close to going through but in the end we could not iron out one or two contractual problems."
Heath is giving a trial to Heart of Midlothian midfielder Scott Leitch. The 26-year-old trained with the Burnley first team squad at Gawthorpe yesterday.
Heath added: "Scott was going to go to Swindon Town originally but he has decided to join us.
"We are giving him a trial for a week and see what develops from there. If he impresses us then we might be able to take him until the end of the season."
Meanwhile, Burnley top gun Kurt Nogan has spent the last 48 hours with the Wales squad as Bobby Gould stages an international get-together in preparation for next month's international against Switzerland.
Heath was delighted with Nogan's inclusion in the Wales squad and after he was chosen by the Professional Footballers' Association in the Division Two representative team.
The Burnley boss added: "It is a great honour for Kurt Nogan and a nice boost for Burnley.
"Kurt has progressed well this season and this award is a nice recognition of that overall progress."
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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