BURNLEY were today desperately continuing their search for striking reinforcements after seeing bids for two players turned down by their respective clubs.

Clarets boss Steve Cotterill tried, but hit a brick wall twice over the weekend in his attempts to add at least one new face to his squad for tomorrow's Championship clash at Brighton.

Sources in Sunderland suggest that Andy Gray could well be one of the names in the frame to replace Ade Akinbiyi, who set a new club record with a £1.75m move to Sheffield United last week.

Former Blades and Nottingham Forest front-man Gray, 28, has struggled to earn a regular starting role at the Stadium of Light despite the Black Cats' dismal Premiership form and their embarrassing FA Cup fourth round defeat at League One Brentford at the weekend.

However, with time fast running out before the transfer window closes tomorrow night, Cotterill is refusing to reveal identities or name his targets for fear he could miss out altogether.

He said: "We have had a couple of offers turned down for a couple of players. I won't name them because that's unfair on the club and unfair on the players, but I don't think we can afford to go back with an improved offer on those players."

Meanwhile, preparations for tomorrow's south coast clash with Albion are threatening to be overshadowed by the ongoing saga at Leicester City.

Foxes chiefs are reportedly ready to approach Burnley to seek permission to speak to Cotterill about the managerial vacancy following Craig Levein's sacking last week.

Cotterill has been installed as fifth favourite by a Leicester bookmaker, behind Peter Reid, Dave Bassett, Steve Walsh and caretaker boss Rob Kelly.

Elsewhere, Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock has defended smashing the club's transfer record to sign Ade Akinbiyi.

Warnock said: "Some people might think that Ade cost us a lot of money, others might not. But what I know is that if we do get promotion and then we'd gone in for him in the summer as a Premiership club then he'd have cost an awful lot more.

"That's the way it works these days and to be honest, when you look at some of the fees other strikers have gone for recently, then I don't think we've paid over the odds.

"You've got young lads going for £3m and £7m, whereas Ade is a proven experienced performer."