DAVID Nugent’s immediate future has been thrown into limbo due to a breakdown in communications between Burnley and his parent club, Portsmouth.

The Clarets exercised their right to extend the deal until the end of the season before Tuesday’s midnight deadline, which is now understood to be the end of the loan agreement.

The club had initially thought the deal ran out after tomorrow’s home game against Chelsea – Brian Laws’ first at Turf Moor since taking charge over two weeks ago.

But Portsmouth chiefs have seemingly gone to ground, and until they acknowledge receipt of Burnley’s written request to extend Nugent’s loan, the striker will not be available to face the Premier League leaders.

A discrepancy over who is doing the deals at Fratton Park has provided an added complication.

Chief executive Peter Storrie would have handled the initial negotiations, but executive director Mark Jacobs has now stepped in.

Laws is remaining optimistic that the situation will be resolved by tomorrow, however, and is preparing a team that will include the 24-year-old.

"There's an agreement in place that's been in place for a long time with Portsmouth.

"We've now got to the point where we've done our bit now and we're expecting Portsmouth to honour that side of it.

"Hopefully the paperwork will be done in time for the weekend,” said Laws.

"The paperwork is very complicated, however, the simplicity of it is we're exercising a right that we can do and therefore we expect them to honour their side of the bargain.

"So let's hope everything clears itself nicely for him to be available for the weekend.

"The player wants that to happen, and so do we.”

Laws described the uncertainty as “a hindrance” but added: “I'm planning for him to be with us at the weekend.

"I think it will give everybody a boost (if he stays until the end of the season) because when you've got good players in and around the club, particularly the players themselves recognise what he can bring to the team, it gives them a boost as well.

"The last thing we want to do is lose a player of his quality and have about 48 hours to replace him.”