BURNLEY veteran Graham Alexander is set to report to Gawthorpe to start pre-season training with the rest of the squad next Thursday.

But the 39-year-old is not expected to figure in manager Eddie Howe’s first team plans.

Alexander celebrated his 1,000th senior game in the Clarets 2-1 win over Swansea in April, but came off the bench to reach his milestone.

All 15 of his appearances following Howe’s appointment in January were as a substitute, and the Scotland international grew increasingly frustrated at his lack of first team opportunities.

Privately he seemed was resigned to the possibility that the 2010/11 season could be his last at Turf Moor, after almost four years.

Having entered the final year of his UEFA Pro licence coaching course, Alexander was linked with the vacant managerial posts at Morecambe and Bury this summer, where he would have preferred to take up a player-manager role.

In the end, both clubs made internal appointments.

There were rumours that Alexander was set to go back to his former club, Preston North End, where he made 400 appearances in over eight years before Steve Cotterill signed him in 2007 and turned him into a defensive midfielder.

However, relegated Preston have not offered Alexander the chance of a return, and there has been no indication they will.

Burnley have not received any bids for any of their players, although that could change as a, so far, slow market is expected to heat up.

Alexander has a year left to run on his contract, which includes the option of a coaching role within the club.

If he stays, however, he is likely to have to surrender the captaincy to a first team regular.

Chris McCann would be a candidate to succeed him in that role, should he sign his new deal, after leading the team out in the last game of last season.

Last night negotiations over a new deal were still ongoing with the midfielder, the club and his agent.