BURNLEY today refused Championship rivals Leicester City permission to speak to Steve Cotterill over their managerial vacancy.

The Foxes are in the hunt for a new boss following last week's sacking of Craig Levein after just 14 months in charge.

Cotterill has jumped straight to the top of City's wanted list to take over and become the sixth manager in as many years at the Walkers Stadium.

However, Burnley chairman Barry Kilby swiftly rejected the approach before hinting at crisis talks with the in-demand Clarets chief before tomorrow's league game away to Brighton.

Kilby said: "I received a call this morning from Leicester City's chief executive Tim Davies, which must have lasted under 30 seconds.

"They asked for permission to speak to Steve and I said 'no way'. I am trying to negotiate an extension to his contract and build things here with Steve, not see him leave."

City's shock move threatens to throw Burnley's season into turmoil following the £1.75m sale of leading goalscorer Ade Akinbiyi to Sheffield United last week.

Cotterill, who has just under 18 months left of his current contract, was immediately told he had over £1million of that cash available to strengthen the squad.

However the Burnley manager, who was distraught at losing Akinbiyi, suffered a frustrating weekend after seeing TWO bids for un-named players turned down by their respective clubs.

And Kilby revealed he is now planning to sit down with Cotterill and discuss the latest worrying development ahead of tomorrow's trip to the south coast.

He added: "I am meeting Steve tomorrow because I think it is important we talk things over face-to-face. Clearly I don't welcome this approach from Leicester at the end of what has been a tough week, but I need to know what he is feeling."