RED rose rivals Preston North End could be poised to swoop for Clarets skipper David Eyres - four months after stealing Gary Parkinson from Turf Moor, writes TONY DEWHURST.

I can confirm today that although North End have made no official approach to Burnley, Deepdale manager Gary Peters is desperate to land the 33-year-old.

I understand Peters tried to take Eyres to Preston when he snapped up Gary Parkinson in a £50,000 transfer tribunal deal last summer.

But the Preston manager was playing his cards close to his chest today after the weekend link to the Burnley captain.

Peters said: "This has all come out of something and nothing really because everybody knows I'm in the market for a left-sided player.

"I rate David Eyres as one of the best players in his position in Division Two, but he is one of only a number of players I'm interested in." Eyres admitted he was mystified by the weekend reports and said: "I heard the rumours and to hear all that talk before such an important game was very difficult.

"People were coming up to me and saying 'what are these rumours about Preston'. What could I say to them? I just didn't know anything about it.

"To be honest all the talk put pressure on my game against Bournemouth because everybody seemed to have mentioned it.

"I'm trying to concentrate on playing football for Burnley. That is my priority as captain and things like this are very unsettling for a footballer."

Burnley's assistant manager Glenn Roeder said he was "unaware" of any interest from Preston and added: "I've heard nothing about David Eyres leaving. He is our captain and a very influential player." Eyres has mainly featured on the left hand side of midfield this season after he was used almost exclusively in the wing-back role under Adrian Heath during the 1996-97 campaign..

And the player has made no secret of the fact that he prefers the left wing back berth.

Another factor is Burnley's precarious financial situation. A transfer fee would give Waddle precious cash to play the transfer market, and allow the management team extra room to manoeuvre in the market

A firm favourite with the Turf Moor crowd, Eyres was voted into the PFA Division Two side last season alongside Parkinson.

Eyres arrived at Burnley from Blackpool for £90,000 in July 1993 and has scored over 50 goals for the Clarets.

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