ANDY Cole could be a Burnley player by the end of today.

And in a double loan swoop on Premier League strugglers Sunderland, Clarets manager Owen Coyle has secured the services of experienced defender Stanislav Varga until the end of the season.

As I understand it, the club are waiting for a decision from former England and Manchester United striker Cole today, and hope to have him in the squad well in time for Saturday's trip to Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion.

Should the 36-year-old agree to a temporary switch to Turf Moor, the deal will also run until May, making him the second former Blackburn Rovers player in the current squad alongside Alan Mahon.

Cole, who has scored more than 280 career goals, helped Birmingham secure promotion to the Premier League during a brief loan spell at the end of last season.

It is that achievement, as well as a prolific strike record throughout a career spanning 18 years, that will appeal to Burnley as they aim to home in on a play-off spot.

The Clarets took a step nearer that target when a 2-0 win over Scunthorpe United moved them to within a point of the top six on Saturday.

Burnley could also secure another loan coup this week if they can agree terms with Galatasary left winger Marcelo Carrusca.

The former Argentina Under 20 star was once tipped to be 'the new Diego Maradona' by the legend himself, and as I understand it the Clarets have been monitoring his situation since Christmas.

However, whether they are successful in bringing Carrusca to East Lancashire remains to be seen, with Boca Juniors interested in taking the 24-year-old back to his homeland on a permanent deal, 18 months after he officially signed for Istanbul giants Galatasary.

But Burnley also remain active in the previous enquiries they have made for players north and south of the border, including Sheffield Wed-nesday's Glenn Whelan, Celtic's Derek Riordan and Dundee United's Barry Robson.

With clubs looking to add fresh faces before allowing any departures, with Ipswich Town reluctant to release Alan Lee without adequate cover, it promises to be an interesting few days in what remains of the January transfer window. But no deals had been finalised with any party at the time of going to press.

"You always think that sometimes you are close. A phonecall changes everything," said Coyle.

"As I've said before we have offers in for players but we won't be held to ransom with players and we won't be bullied into taking players if we don't think it's the right time to bring into this squad.

"I'll look for the players that I think have got a bit of hunger and desire and can add to and enhance the group that we have, and that's what we'll look to do.

"It could be very busy. Equally if phonecalls or enquiries don't come off then it could be quiet.

"But we need to make sure that the ones we do bring in enhance and take the team on."

After celebrating a third successive win, he added: "I think it's all very well because you're on the back of nine points to say I'll not go and rush into players', but equally if it had been the other way then I still wouldn't be going and getting players that I didn't think would enhance the team.

"What we do know is that we haven't had a big squad from day one, and we have been hit hard by injuries and suspensions. We had 16 fit players (on Saturday) and was again nearly getting myself registered. And that would have been a blow!

"We'll hopefully add one or two but they have to be the right people at the right price."