BURNLEY manager Eddie Howe has fired a hands-off warning to Premier League clubs chasing two of his star players.

Following Bolton Wanderers’ interest in out-of-contract midfielder Chris McCann, it has emerged that Jay Rodriguez could be a target for Premier League new boys Queens Park Rangers.

Howe may face a battle to keep the duo this summer, but is determined to put up a fight.

It is understood McCann, who was given the captain’s armband for the last game against Cardiff City, is considering improved terms from the contract initially tabled halfway through last season, before he made his comeback from knee surgery.

Player of the year Rodriguez signed a new deal in March, which will run to the summer of 2013.

But QPR boss Neil Warnock is a fan of the Burnley-born striker, once describing him as a “super player”. After having a £2.5million offer for 24-goal Championship top scorer Danny Graham rejected by Watford, he could step up his search for fresh firepower.

Howe said he hadn’t heard anything from the Championship title winners, but admitted they would be wasting their time if they did get in touch about the 21-year-old.

“We’re not open to any offers for Jay, and we won’t encourage any either,” said the Clarets boss.

“He’s had a fantastic season and he’s a big part of our plans.

“I’ve not heard anything from QPR, but if I did, they would be told to go away in no certain terms.”

The McCann situation has taken a fresh twist with Bolton boss Owen Coyle last week hinting to the possibility that he had a couple of Bosman free transfers lined up, and he is understood to have lined up Swansea midfielder Darren Pratley.

The former Burnley boss is looking to strengthen in central midfield, where they have Stuart Holden, Fabrice Muamba and Mark Davies as the their main options but have been beset by injuries and have ended each of the last two seasons badly short of cover.

Holden and Mark Davies have both done well when fit but have missed long spells through injury in both seasons and Bolton need a ball-playing midfielder to play alongside Muamba, who is more adept at breaking up play.

Of their other options, Sean Davis has been injured for the last two years and both Tamir Cohen and Joey O'Brien have just been released. Johan Elmander had to play in central midfield for the last couple of months but he has gone now as well.

Ricardo Gardner is in contract talks but is likely to only be cover and has suffered his fair share of injury problems himself.