Stock still interests Burnley boss

Doncaster Rovers midfield ace Brian Stock is still understood to be high on the agenda, though the Clarets could face competition from other Championship clubs, including Nottingham Forest.

Sean O’Driscoll, who became former Burnley boss Steve Cotterill’s successor at the City Ground, brought Stock to the Keepmoat Stadium in 2007, capturing him from Preston having seen him climb through the ranks at Bournemouth.

Howe, who was team-mates with Stock, 30, at Dean Court, said: “Hopefully we can still add a few more players.

“From our perspective, we don’t feel we’re the finished article yet, there’s still work to do, but we feel we’re moving in the right direction.

“We’re hoping to add, maybe more than one. I’d like my squad in place as quickly as I can.

“We feel that there’s still positions to improve. The time frame on that? We’ll have to wait and see.

“The trip away is always a big week for the players, I think they look forward to that to feel fully part of the squad.”

Howe, who has already added Luke O’Neill, George Porter, new skipper Jason Shackell and Joseph Mills to his ranks, added: “It’s always difficult when you first come in to any club, any building, to feel at home straight away.

“That week away gives them the opportunity to get to know the players and enjoy each others company.

“I’d love to get my business done by then, but we’ll see.”

Though Stock has been an integral component at the South Yorkshire club, his rise has been plagued by injury. He missed four months of Doncaster’s campaign from September 2009 after undergoing surgery on his ankle, was absent for a further two-month period that same season from February after having surgery on his back, and sustained a tear in his groin last term against Brighton in March.

Stock’s last competitive game for Rovers was in early April when goals from Josh McQuoid and Charlie Austin saw the Clarets win 2-1. He limped off in the 22nd minute.

But the midfielder has looked sharp in pre-season, featuring in all four friendlies against Cleethorpes Town, Grimsby Town, Bradford Park Avenue and Rotherham.

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