Burnley star Ings is staying put!

BURNLEY have moved to pour cold water on speculation linking forward Danny Ings with a loan move to Championship rivals Portsmouth.

A story in a national tabloid during the week claimed Ings - who only made his first start for the club on Saturday, after suffering a serious knee injury shortly after signing from Bournemouth in August - was a target for the troubled South Coast club.

However, both clubs have denied the story.

Assistant boss Jason Tindall said: “I got a phonecall from my dad saying he’d heard the story, but I’ve no idea where that’s come from.

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“One thing is for sure - Danny Ings is not going out on loan anywhere!

“It’s great to have him back involved.

“He has a fantastic future ahead of him, and will be a big asset to the club.”

Portsmouth manager Michael Appleton added: “That is the first I have heard of that. I have no idea where that has come from. It is certainly nothing to do with me.

“The lad is a decent player, but not one who has come up in the conversations I’ve had.”

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Meanwhile, the Clarets took the opportunity to look at Chelsea midfielder Jacob Mellis and Eastleigh’s Sam Wilson in the reserves’ 4-0 win at Morecambe on Tuesday night.

Mellis, 21, was signed by Chelsea from Sheffield United for £1m five years ago, and has had loan spells with Southampton and Barnsley, while representing England at Under 16, 17 and 19 levels, while Wilson is a 17-year-old striker who has previously had a trial with Fulham.

Tindall explained: “The two lads come from different ends of the spectrum, but both did well.

“We’re just casting an eye over them, and over the coming days and weeks we’ll make a decision.

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“We’re always looking to improve the team and the squad, and if we can get the right players in, we’ll look to do that.”

Also on duty for the reserves was Junior Stanislas, making his first start since being forced off with a hamstring injury in the 2-0 win at Middlesbrough in January.

He scored his first goal for the club, and Tindall feels his return could be a huge boost: “Junior played very well in the reserves and did all the things we expected of him.

“He’s certainly in contention for Cardiff on Sunday.

“He’s been out a long time, but he looked very sharp on Tuesday.

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“It was a shame he got injured when he did, he was in good form and our top assist maker.

“He still is, in open play, even with the short amount of games he’s played. “He carries an attacking threat and it’s great to have him back.”