We need to let some of the lads go out and get some games - Eddie Howe

Howe looks likely to move out some of his fringe players on loan, with a domino effect in terms of how many players he could bring into the club.

Forward Zavon Hines was a target for Howe’s former club Bournemouth, while Keith Treacy was believed to be close to sealing a switch to League One promotion hopefuls Sheffield Wednesday.

Andre Amougou and Brian Easton were also thought to be potential departures, with the pair out of contract in the summer, when they are expected to move on.

Portsmouth centre-back Jason Pearce, who played under Howe at Bournemouth, was believed to be a loan target, but any deal looked unlikely ahead of the deadline.

Howe said: “I think there will be a couple out and maybe a couple in.

“I think there will be some movement out for a couple of fringe players, which is important for them, at this stage of the season.

“We’ll see how the day unfolds.

“Some of the fringe lads I think need games really, and we’ve only got nine games to go.

“We need to let some of the lads go out and get some games.”

Asked whether he was likely to bring any players, he said: “It’s a bit of a balancing act I think.

“We’d like to freshen things up and maybe get a couple in, but it all depends on finances and any movement potentially the other way. I’m not sure how many will be coming in.

“We have a good group of young lads, as they have shown and I think it might be time between now and the end of the season to get them some games.”

Hines is yet to start in the league since his summer move from West Ham, while Treacy has only started 19 games, and six since November – while he has been withdrawn either before or at half-time four times.

In January, the Republic of Ireland international was linked with a switch Wednesday and former club Preston, just six months after moving across Lancashire, but Howe said: “You hear all sorts of crazy rumours this time of year, but Keith won’t be leaving.”

However, he has failed to make the matchday 16 for the last three games, and a change of scenery could do him good.

Howe is also pondering giving some of the successful youth team a chance in the remaining games.

Tonight they are in action at Ewood Park in the first leg of their FA Youth Cup semi-final at Blackburn Rovers, and Howe has high hopes for them.

He said: “If you play well enough and you are good enough, you will play.

“I want nothing more than to see good young Burnley lads come through the system.

“If we do need players, I would much rather bring our own lads through and get them experience than perhaps being in other club’s players.

“It’s difficult though. With young players you want to give them games but you want to give them games when they’re ready and in the right environment.”