BURNLEY chief executive Paul Fletcher has spoken of Burnley’s determination to keep hold of their key players, whether they win their fight for Premier League survival or not.

Record signing and top scorer Steven Fletcher, winger Chris Eagles and defenders Clarke Carlisle and Tyrone Mears have all been the subject of rumoured swoops by top flight clubs.

Former manager Owen Coyle is believed to be keen on a reunion with Scotland international striker Fletcher, who he signed for £3million from Hibernian last summer.

An offer of equal value has been mooted, but that figure would be well below anything the Clarets might consider for a young player who they secured on a four-year contract.

I understand Bolton boss Coyle is also interested in winger Wade Elliott, while centre half Carlisle has been linked with the Trotters too.

Already-promoted West Brom are understood to have set their sights on Eagles.

But chief executive Fletcher is keen to fend off the cherry-pickers.

“It’s part and parcel of Burnley as a club. People will think we are rich pickings for the wealthy teams but we intend to keep hold of our best players whether we are in the Premier League or Championship,” he said.

“We’ve got four games to go and we’ve still a reasonable chance of staying up.”