‘When business starts, we’ll be ready’ pledges Burnley FC manager Eddie Howe

He said: “There’s always people circling, but there is no new news regarding any of our players.

“I’ve said all along I want to keep the squad together, keep our best players, and hopefully we can do that and bring in some new ones the other way.”

Despite the setback at the Memorial Ground on Tuesday night, Howe has been pleased with the pre-season campaign to date, with three more games remaining.

Burnley are at Torquay tomorrow, with a trip to Oldham on Tuesday followed by a home clash with Premier League Sunderland a week tomorrow.

Howe said: “Fitness wise I think we look okay.

“The lads are pretty fit and I think they’ve all done well so far.

“A real positive thing, and I don’t want to curse us, is that we haven’t picked up too many injuries.

“That has been a huge positive because pre-season is always that time you don’t want to push the lads to breaking point.

“We know that when the business starts we’re going to have to be ready, and I think we will be.”