ADRIAN Heath could raid former club Stoke City for his first Turf Moor signing.

I can reveal that the Burnley boss is targeting at least TWO new faces with the transfer deadline looming.

Heath has made a striker his first priority with the transfer embargo just 16 days away.

And Stoke City's 23-year-old forward Martin Carruthers could be top of his shopping list.

Heath is worried that he could enter the frantic last lap of the season short on striking cover with both Ian Helliwell and Andy Cooke currently sidelined.

That could lead Heath to the Victoria Ground with Potters chief Lou Macari under pressure to off-load one of his three reserve strikers - former Claret John Gayle, Paul Peschisolido or likely target Carruthers.

Heath kicked off his Turf Moor managerial career with a remarkable 1-0 victory at Bristol City and declared today: "We've stopped the rot."

The new boss guided the Clarets to a rousing late win as Burnley claimed their first Division Two victory since January 13 at Ashton Gate. He said: "In general I was very pleased with the application and determination.

"The most pleasing part was that we kept our shape and discipline. Obviously I was not as pleased with the overall performance but it is a great start.

"They'll be sick as parrots, won't they, because they dominated quite a bit of the match.

"But it's swings and roundabouts, isn't it? Sometimes you get a result when you you don't perhaps deserve it. That may have been the case at Bristol. I'd have settled for a point to stop the rot. We managed all three so somebody likes us."

He added: "Ultimately, though, it is victory which gives players confidence and this is a fantastic morale booster for us. That is the most important aspect of all."

Gerry Harrison could be fit for tomorrow's big Lancashire derby against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

Harrison was stretchered off at Ashton Gate with a bad head wound after an accidental clash of heads with Bristol striker Paul Agostini mid-way through the first half.

Harrison had five stitches in a cut above his right eye and Heath added: "We will give him a check in the morning. But Jamie Hoyland, who was his replacement, did exceptionally well when he came on."

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