DETERMINED Adrian Heath is planning a major Turf Moor clear-out after Burnley's Second Division play-off hopes crumbled, writes TONY DEWHURST.

Saturday's 3-3 draw against relegated Rotherham United means the Clarets can now only reach 70 points.

And that will almost certainly not be enough to claim a top six place when the curtain comes down on May 3.

Heath is now preparing for next season - and that could see the largest turnover of staff seen at Turf Moor for several years.

He told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "I'll have to sit down with the board of directors and discuss what we can do and cannot do.

"It would be naive of me to think that there would be a remarkable change in Burnley's fortunes next season with the same set of players here.

"The same players have probably performed like this for two or three years and we have to be honest and realistic about the situation and say that it can't go on.

"If we don't make enough changes then there is not going to be a massive improvement in terms of our results.

"I have my own thoughts on who I want to keep at this club and who I want to let go."

He added: "In terms of bringing in the necessary players I think we need to bring the squad up to scratch, then there is certainly going to be quite a few leaving to allow us to make room for new faces.

"We just can't carry on down this road for any longer. We need to allow players to leave."

The Burnley attendance of 7,875 was Turf Moor's smallest league gate for 15 months and Heath added: "I can understand people's frustrations but, whatever happens, we have made progress from a year ago. "I can look back and say the club has played some of its best football for quite a number of years and we've had some good results too.

"The emergence of the younger players is a big bonus and the fact that we've challenged in the top 10 for most of the season is also good.

"But we've let ourselves down when it mattered. You learn a lot more about your players when you need a result when it matters. I've got a lot of thinking to do."

Meanwhile, Nigel Gleghorn was due to return to full training today following a two month injury lay-off.

Nigel Gleghorn could feature in a reserve game this week - the second string host Hull tonight - after receiving the green light for a return to action.

One man who will play tonight is Manchester City's young central defender Jim Bentley. Burnley have taken the 20-year-old on trial and hope to take a close look at him this evening (kick-off 7-15pm).

Paul Tisdale, on trial from Southampton, is also expected to play another reserve game.

Heath added: "Nigel is nearly there and he should be able to get a bit of match practice in. Hopefully, he could play before the end of the season."

Gleghorn injured ligaments in the 0-0 draw at Bournemouth on February 15. Also on the injury front, there was brighter news for big defender Peter Swan. He is close to full fitness again after recent Achilles tendon problems and could feature for the reserves at Mansfield on Thursday.

The B team wind up their Lancashire League programme with an attractive fixture against Manchester United B at Gawthorpe tomorrow (2.00 pm).

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