BURNLEY bosses Barry Kilby and Steve Cotterill were today set for crunch talks in a crucial 24 hours for the club.

Cotterill's preparations for tonight's Championship clash at Brighton have taken on extra significance following Leicester City's advances as they seek a successor to Craig Levein.

City have also reportedly had approaches for Preston North End's Billy Davies and Mike Newell of Luton Town rejected by their respective clubs.

And as the Foxes work through their short-list of candidates for the vacant hot-seat, Kilby was today set for emergency talks with his own manager over the future direction of the club.

High on his agenda will surely be Cotterill's thoughts on City's approach, which was rejected out of hand by Kilby yesterday morning.

And the Clarets chairman is also keen to re-open discussions on an extended contract, which would ward off future advances for the in-demand manager.

Brighton boss McGhee is hoping the insecurity surrounding Cotterill's position will affect the Clarets tonight as they look for their first away win since defeating Luton Town 3-2 at Kenilworth Road in happier times last November.

And the Scot admits he would be surprised to see former Brighton striker Cotterill leave Burnley to take charge at Leicester City.

He said: "Steve seems to be one of those managers who gets linked with practically every job.

"I think he has done a great job at Burnley and I don't know why he would leave at this stage because they are a big club and they have a terrific base of supporters."

McGhee, whose side have lost five of their last six games to remain rooted in relegation trouble, added: "Steve knows about the Withdean Stadium, so he will have no fear about bringing a side here."