PRUDENT Burnley manager Owen Coyle has not ruled out adding to his squad before tomorrow's home game against Plymouth Argyle, but insists he won't be short-changed in the January transfer window.

The Clarets boss, who has been thwarted in his bid to lure Glenn Whelan from Sheffield Wednesday, believes the current system only serves to encourage clubs and players to hike up their prices.

Preston sprang a surprise with their capture of Richard Chaplow from West Brom for a fee that could rise to £1.35million.

Although Coyle made enquiries about the former Clarets midfielder, he stressed that was a process he has gone through with numerous managers as he seeks to strengthen his squad.

And that is a mission he will not be unnecessarily hasty in.

"We would love to have one or two in to freshen things up and give the lads who have played a lot of games a boost, so we're actively trying on that front.

Whether anything comes to fruition before tomorrow remains to be seen," said Coyle, whose approach for Irish midfielder Whelan was confirmed by Owls boss Brian Laws.

"Without going into it too deep, I've spoken to a number of clubs about potential signings, and that's where we are at the moment.

"Dialogue is continuing, we've not been dismissed out of hand on a couple. There have been some that obviously will be out of our price range, but sometimes if you agree a fee the salary will be too much.

"You have to take all these things into account and weigh it up and see if you can do it first and foremost.

"But it won't stop us trying to get the very best players we can into the football club.

"A number of things need to come together for that to happen though, the club need to be willing, the fee needs to be right, and the correct salary needs to be in place.

"If that comes together then you've a chance, and if it doesn't you move on and you go for another target."

However, Coyle insisted he would resist, where possible, paying over the odds to secure any new signing.

"I think in the summer it's different, but in January I think prices are inflated because clubs who have either got aspirations of getting promotion or are fighting for their lives think we need to act upon this and do this quickly' and I think you pay an inflated price for players," he said.

"Don't get me wrong, ultimately they could prove to be worth that, but I think the starting price is an inflated one from what it would be normally.

"I think they know it's just because they've got that one month, and we don't want to get caught up in that. We want to get the right players and obviously at the right price.

"I think there are circumstances that would commandeer the window, for example a selling club initially is prepared to look for top dollar, and if they do need the money then they're going to drop the price.

"I suppose it's like a big game of poker. If somebody needs a player do you need him so quickly that you need to go and pay that money or are you able to hang on for a couple of weeks?

"If the right player was available and we could do it today then I would do it.

"It can change as quickly as on a phonecall. If it does then we'll act accordingly and we'll move swiftly to secure the targets we've got."

He added: "I'm not a big lover of the transfer window.

"I preferred the old system because of injuries and suspensions.

"I'm obviously speaking from our viewpoint, unlike the other clubs who like the transfer window because they're able to have 30 players at the start of the season.

"We don't. We have a squad of 20 and if, as it happened in early December, we get injuries and suspensions ... we had 12 fit and available players for Bristol City, that I would deem first team players.

"In the old day you could go and get one or two in at that point, but then the transfer window got brought in.

"They had their reasons for doing it but I don't agree with them."