BURNLEY have opened talks with Steve Cotterill over a new contract extension.

The Clarets boss still has more than 18 months left on the three-year deal he signed in June 2004 as Stan Ternent's successor.

Since then, the club has undergone a total transformation on the pitch and behind the scenes, and currently lies sixth in the Championship - the joint highest league position of his reign.

And contented chairman Barry Kilby has now revealed that both parties have opened dialogue with the aim of keeping Cotterill at Turf Moor for the foreseeable future.

"We are half way through Steve's contract and I have had discussions with him about extending it," Kilby told shareholders at last night's Annual General Meeting.

"Steve and I have had a couple of discussions, but there are a lot of things to consider on this.

"I would certainly like him to be manager but both parties have to agree so we will have to see what comes of it."