BURNLEY chairman Barry Kilby insists he would not welcome any approach for Steve Cotterill from Portsmouth.

The Clarets manager has been linked with a move back to the south coast to join the Premiership strugglers as right hand man to good friend Harry Redknapp, who remains the favourite to be appointed Fratton Park boss.

But Kilby, who recently revealed he had opened new contract talks with Cotterill, insists he would flatly refuse ANY club permission to speak to the man he appointed as Stan Ternent's successor 18 months ago.

"We would not welcome any approach for Steve," insisted Kilby. "He continues to do an excellent job for us and we want that to continue for as long as possible."

Speculation that Cotterill might link up with Redknapp appears to surround a friendship that dates back to their connections with former club Bournemouth.

Portsmouth owner and chairman Milan Mandaric has, however, made Redknapp his number one target and despite the Southampton manager remaining in charge for today's St Mary's clash with the Clarets, the two clubs are understood to be discussing compensation terms before he rejoins Pompey less than a year after leaving.