STEVE Cotterill is set to continue his policy of promoting youth players in his time at Burnley - but only if they are given enough time to develop.

The Clarets boss thinks that young players in England are thrown on the scrap heap too early in their careers before they have the physical attributes to cope with the full-time professional game.

And Cotterill is hoping he can gain similar success with Turf Moor's stars of the future as he has at his previous clubs.

He said: "If you look at my past record, if youth team players have been good enough they have been given their chance, like Chris Commons at Stoke and Michael Duff at Cheltenham to mention two. But if they're not, they have to carry on working on it.

"It's difficult with the youths because what happens in our country is they get binned by about 19 or 20 whereas in clubs abroad, like Bayern Munich, they don't until they are 22 or 23, fully physically developed.

"Here they are put on contracts and earn too much too quick and the budget is too big so they look at the next kid instead of developing ones they've brought through.

"We've got to look at the kids and see if they develop and that is nearly always the problem.

"A lot of people say there's a good youngster and the first thing they ask is, how big is he? Because a good big one will always beat a good little one."

Meanwhile, Cotterill has told the youth teams chiefs at Turf Moor to continue their current roles while he concentrates on first team matters.

"I've told Geoff Taylor and Terry Pashley to carry on doing what they are doing until I have had a chance to chat to them but I have to prioritise the first team," said the manager.

Meanwhile, Alan Moore has spoken of his relief at finding a club in his native Dublin.

The former Burnley winger, whose contract at Turf Moor expired at the end of the season, has reached agreement with eircom League leaders Shelbourne, although international transfer laws mean he must wait until July 1 to make his Shels debut.

Moore said: "I made no secret of the fact that I was always going to come home. I came to Dublin whenever I had the chance.

"I missed my family and friends. I enjoyed my time in England but I always had home calling me and that's why it's good to be back here for good.

"I have no regrets. Going there was always about a stepping stone to coming home at some stage."