DEFIANT Burnley have stressed that Kyle Lafferty is not for sale, after rejecting a formal offer from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Details of the bid have not been disclosed by the Clarets, other than it was a cash offer, but figures are believed to be in the region of at least £1million, inclusive.

Burnley chairman Barry Kilby and manager Steve Cotterill had already stated, in two separate telephone conversations with Wolves' staff, their intention to keep hold of the Northern Ireland international, who signed a new contract last season to see him through until 2010.

And while Cotterill insisted he would not encourage approaches from other clubs, he admitted that it was a form of flattery.

"Wolves sent an offer to the chairman and it was rejected this morning. I think the chairman had a conversation with Jez Moxey (Wolves' chief executive) and has turned down the offer and said we don't want to sell.

"That's the gist of the conversation I had with the chairman," the Burnley boss said.

"I don't know if they will come back in again.

"I've said before you can't stop people making offers for your players, but I don't want to sell him. He is a good, young player.

"Suddenly maybe it will cause a lot of debate everywhere. Even myself and the chairman and directors will debate. But that's what happens when you've got desirable players or players that other people want.

"I would rather have that, knowing that I haven't got to sell them, because it means we've got a healthy interest in players at our club.

"We should look at it in a flattering manner. We have some good, young players."

Burnley chairman Kilby, who was quick to reject a £500,000 cash offer from Celtic for Lafferty in the January transfer window, maintained that the club was not prepared to sell the 19-year-old striker.

"Wolves have been back in touch regarding the availability of Kyle," he said.

"I had an initial chat with Jez Moxey last week when they first expressed an interest and we told them he was not for sale.

"Wolves have made an official offer for the player, which we have rejected immediately.

"Kyle is very much a part of our plans for the future and I reiterate that he is not for sale."