MANAGER Eddie Howe is keen to drive the average age of Burnley’s squad down this summer.

The Clarets boss gave a statement of his intent by fielding a more youthful line-up as they ended the season at home to Cardiff City.

And that’s an agenda he is determined to set in the forthcoming campaign.

Experienced players like Chris Iwelumo and Leon Cort were signed under former boss Brian Laws, who also gave new deals to 30-plus players Michael Duff, Clarke Carlisle, Graham Alexander, Wade Elliott and Brian Jensen. But Howe – himself one of the youngest managers in the Football League – is looking to fresh, upcoming stars.

He has already set the tone of his transfer policy by signing 21-year-old striker Charlie Austin and 24-year-old midfielder Marvin Bartley in the January window and has offered young professionals Alex-Ray Harvey, Alex MacDonald, Wes Fletcher and Dominic Knowles new terms.

He also monitored teenage defender Shane Duffy during a one-month loan spell.

The 19-year-old played only once in his 28 days at Turf Moor, and was disappointed to be dropped following a 2-1 home defeat to Ipswich, in which his centre half partner was Andre Bikey.

I understand Howe is particularly interested in a naturally left-footed centre half, but hasn’t dismissed the idea of pursuing Duffy in the summer, potentially on a season-long loan.

“We had a good look at him when he came in, but we haven’t had that conversation with Everton yet,” said the Burnley boss, who has spoken of his desire to assemble his new squad in time for the season kicking off on August 6.

However, he accepts that with the Premier League season yet to finish and Football League play-offs still to be settled it might be a while before the transfer market becomes active.

“I would like to start moving straight away,” the 33-year-old continued.

“We are actively looking for players and working hard behind the scenes, but these things will be done at their pace.

“I’m keen to get the squad together as early as I can though.

“I like to have my squad in place for the majority of the season to go on and build, but sometimes it’s taken out of your hands.

“I’d expect there to be some movement at this stage but it’s difficult to say how much.

“I’m keen to bring in some players where we need to.

“I’m sure it will unfold in the next few weeks.”

Chris McCann’s return from knee surgery in late April was like a new signing in itself with just four games to go, while the same will be said of fit-again striker Martin Paterson (thigh) and Austin (dislocated shoulder) when they report back for pre-season training on June 30.

And as they will all be aged 24 or under when the season begins, they fit the youthful mould.

Howe is also keen to hang on to key players such as Tyrone Mears, Chris Eagles and Andre Bikey, but with all three going into the final year of their contracts the club may prefer to listen to any offers that might arise rather than risk allowing them to leave for nothing in 12 months’ time.

And that situation could leave Howe in limbo.

“It’s sometimes difficult because you don’t know what’s going to happen with some of our players, but that’s the nature of football,” said the Burnley boss.

“We have to be quick to react if anything happens with our players.

“You have to have targets identified.”