Grezza is staying at Burnley FC!

And Laws insists the 39-year-old remans an integral part of his plans at Turf Moor.

Alexander is a legend at Deepdale after spending almost nine years with the Lilywhites before moving to Burnley in August 2007 - so much so, he has an executive suite named after him.

It was reported after the weekend that Darren Ferguson is keen to take on Alexander’s contract, that runs to the end of the season, when the transfer window reopens in January, but Laws has dismissed the story out of hand: “There’s been no contact or approach from anyone, and I don’t know where the story has come from.

“But Grezza is an integral part of the team and coaching staff.”

Alexander has been on the bench for the last five games, following the goal-less draw with Bristol City at home, in which he missed his first penalty for the club in 19 attempts.

But, as has been shown with a much-changed defence in recent times, he will get a chance in that midfield unit sooner or later as injury, suspension or lack of form hits.

Laws said: “Grezza is in a long line of frustrated players who aren’t starting at present - it’s been hard to break into the side due to the standard of performances.

“They’ve been looking for a chink in the armour, and there weas a big chink against Reading, so we’ll address that - we have some tough games coming up.”

Alexander, of course, is more than an influential player and captain, having been handed a place on the coaching staff on Laws’ arrival back in January.

And he remains an important part of the coaching think-tank as well: “It’s still firmly agreed that, first and foremost, Grezza is a player.

“You can’t mix both jobs, to a degree - I experienced that as a player-manager.

“It’s nigh on impossible and straining to combine both jobs, so we concluded Grezza should be 100% a player, but be involved in discussions and the set up, while looking into the coaching side of things.”

Alexander was allowed to leave North End three years ago, with the club unwilling to match Burnley’s offer of a two-year contract.

The Scotland international made 400 appearances for Preston, and would be a popular signing at the club, but Laws reiterated: “Grezza is still fighting hard to be a player and keep playing, he wants to enjoy every game that goes by.

“He may be 39, but he’ll know when it’s time, and it’s nowhere near time yet.

“He’s still a big part of Burnley Football Club.

“You’ve got to keep all your best players, and he is certainly part of that group.

“It only takes an injury or suspension and the midfield is changed - as we’ve seen with the back four.

“A settled back four has been chopping and changing for four games now.

“I’m sure Grezza’s time will come sooner or later - it may just be around the corner.”

Laws has to decide whether or not to make changes tomorrow night in the Carling Cup at Aston Villa, after the 4-0 reverse at home to Reading on Saturday.

He looked back on a strange game: “It was a shock to the system - it wasn’t on the cards at all with the way we had been playing.

“But if we win, we don’t get carried away, and if we lose, we don’t either.

“The players have been consistent, and it was our first loss in eight games.

“We still had chances to score - the best probably when we were down to 10 men.

“But we’ve got to use that defeat, rather than dismissing it, as a reminder - if you are ever off-colour, that can happen.

“Consistency is always going to be key, and we’ll have to look to start another run.

“All runs come to an end, as QPR’s will, and even they are finding it hard to win at the moment.”

Leaders QPR, are, of course, Burnley’s next opponents in the league, when the sides meet at Loftus Road on Saturday - where Neil Warnock’s men are yet to concede a goal.