David Jones links up with Burnley

The Clarets set off yesterday morning for a training camp in Cork, taking in a game with Cork City on Monday night, and 28-year-old Jones will link up with the squad, as Burnley take a look at him, and vice versa.

Jones has been in demand this summer, mulling over a number of offers, with Blackburn Rovers one of the interested parties after ending the season on loan at Ewood Park - playing in the 1-1 draw with Burnley in March.

He had been keeping his options open, and, while Rovers seem to have turned their attentions towards Liverpool’s Jay Spearing, Burnley have jumped up the queue, and have held talks with the former Manchester United youngster.

When I asked Dyche on Tuesday about the possibility of landing Jones, he was coy on the subject, saying only: “That would be nice, watch this space!” he said, with a smile on his face.

After the departure of Chris McCann, ironically to Wigan, Jones would be an ideal replacement, - a left-footed central midfielder.

Dyche is also running the rule over 24-year-old midfielder Scott Arfield, who was released by Huddersfield Town this summer, but he was keeping his cards close to his chest as regards any incoming transfers.

Dyche said merely: “There’s a number of people we’re having conversations with, and we have to fight accordingly, financially, to get the right bodies in.”

Jones started his career at Manchester United, but made only four appearances in cup competitions, spending time on loan with Preston, Dutch side NEC Nijmegen and Derby, before Billy Davies, who worked with him at Preston, took him to Pride Park permanently for £1m in January 2007.

Jones joined Wolves on a free transfer in the summer of 2008, and three years at Molineux before joining Wigan.

On Arfield - who also travelled to Ireland - Dyche added: “Scott’s trained with us, we’ve invited him to Ireland and we’ll see how that goes.”

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