BURNLEY manager Owen Coyle is determined to keep Andy Gray at Burnley, despite Charlton Athletic refusing to rule out making an improved offer for the 13-goal striker.

The Clarets this week rejected a seven-figure bid for the 30-year-old, thought to be around £1.3million.

But the Addicks are unlikely to give up their chase easily after manager Alan Pardew confirmed his interest.

"The truth is that we have bid for him," Pardew said. "I don't think it's fair talking about fees so I'm not going to confirm any of that, but he is a player I would like to bring to Charlton.

"Burnley have released the information. They want to keep him, he's a good player and they're a good club so I can understand that.

"I like him and would like him here, so whether we go back with a bigger bid, we'll have to wait and see."

But although the threat of a new bid looms, it will be business as usual for Clarets boss Coyle as he seeks to retain players, as well as bring in new faces.

"We've obviously turned down a bid from Charlton for Andy Gray," said the 41-year-old ahead of tomorrow's trip to Coventry City.

"It shows we're playing in the right manner and if our players are being coveted, we're doing something right.

"There had been all sorts of speculation and nothing had happened, but when that offer came in, which was way below our valuation of the player, we felt it was important the fans knew what was happening.

"I deal in facts, and the facts were Charlton made an offer, we turned it down, and that's where we stand.

"At this moment in time, there's nothing more to add, whether that changes, I'll keep everybody up to date, because that's the way we work.

"Everything is above board and everybody is aware of what is going on.

"We don't want to lose any players, and on the other side of that, we have made offers and enquiries for players.

"That's the way football works, FROM BACK PAGE and we just wanted to nip the speculation in the bud and let everybody know exactly what was happening.

"Whether Charlton come back, or somebody else comes in, that's not up to us, we'll deal with it when it happens, but it's all ifs and buts and hypothetical situations.

"If something comes in that's way beyond our means, we're not really in a position to turn that down, but that's not happened.

"If and when it does, I'll be the first to tell anybody.

"But you're looking at the players that you feel have done really well, and when we get the time, we'll certainly do it as well as we can.

"I'll speak to the players first and foremost though, before anyone else.

"I've kept Andy Gray fully informed of everything that's happened, and that's how I work, in a way that there's nothing going on underhand, and they know the situation."

While Gray is the only Burnley player to be the subject of an official bid, Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Glenn Whelan is so far the only target Coyle has made an official bid for.

The amount for Whelan has not been disclosed by either club, and the Burnley boss said it is not his immediate intention to increase it, although that remains an option.

"We've made enquiries, followed by verbal offers, and we're trying our best to bring people to the club," said Coyle.

"You have to remember we're not Manchester United, we have a budget to work with, and that's what we're trying to do, to the best of our ability, to get the right players for the right money, and make sure they're good additions to our squad.

"We made the offer for Glenn Whelan, it was turned down, and we haven't improved on that offer.

"That offer is still there, and whether Sheffield Wednesday come back and decide to accept it is up to them, but it hasn't been improved, and that's where we are with that one.

"If we felt we wanted to impove the offer, we can go and do that but at the moment I feel it is a fair offer for the player, as we did as a football club, and Sheffield Wednesday decided they didn't want to accept it at that time."

Burnley continue to be linked to Celtic's Derek Riordan and Dundee United's Barry Robson.

Meanwhile, Steve Jones is not about to return to Crewe Alexandra.

The Railwaymen are understood to have enquired about a potential loan deal for the 31-year-old, who signed for Burnley on a free transfer from the Alexandra Stadium in the summer of 2006, but were turned down.