BRIAN Laws hopes player power will influence David Nugent's future at Burnley.

A deal has yet to be struck with Portsmouth to extend the striker’s loan deal until the end of the season.

Nugent’s cash-strapped employers, who paid £6million for the 24-year-old two-and-a-half years ago, are desperate to sell to try to ease their crippling financial pressures.

But the Clarets and Nugent, who is desperate to avoid a return to the south coast, would rather continue the loan arrangement once his initial deal expires on January 26.

And new Burnley boss Laws believes the Liverpool-born former Preston forward holds all the aces.

He has not only enjoyed being back in the north west, having settled in well at Turf Moor, but under FIFA rulings Nugent would be unable to play for another Premier League club this season after making appearances for both Pompey and Burnley.

"We’re still slightly in the dark with Portsmouth because they’re not giving too much away,” Laws explained.

“It’s quite clear they want to sell but I think we’re in a fairly comfortable position knowing that the player wants to stay.

“At the end of the day a club can turn round to any player and say ‘we’re selling you’ but he’s going nowhere if he says ‘no’.

“The player holds the cards, and certainly Nugent hold the cards (in this case).

"He’s in a strong position and dictates in that sense, and therefore it’s a little bit more comforting to know he doesn’t want to go anywhere else but here.

“That’s great news for us, we just want to make sure we can get it concluded and get the paperwork done so that we can all relax.

"At the moment it seems to be every day that we’re discussing it and until we can get that sorted out I suppose it’s going to be a topic of conversation.”

He added: “I think it’s quite clear that they’re looking for money.

"That’s where their avenues are and they want to try to sell players as quickly as they can.

“David’s in that category, but he’s in a very strong position. The football club can’t force him to do anything.

“At the moment he’s very content here and very determined to stay here.

"That’s all we can hope for, and that common sense prevails and David’s with us for the rest of the season.”