Burnley boss Howe is forward thinking on transfer deadline day (From This Is Lancashire)

Burnley boss Howe is forward thinking on transfer deadline day

9:55am Friday 31st August 2012 in Sport By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter

EDDIE Howe is only expecting to add to his squad as he remains in the market for a forward.

But with the possibility of key players attracting interest as the clock ticks down to tonight’s 11 o’clock transfer deadline, the Burnley boss insists they would only sell on their terms.

Midfielder Chris McCann attracted interest from Norwich City earlier in the summer and Swansea before Brendan Rodgers left for Liverpool, while Everton are also understood to be keen on the Dubliner.

Striker Charlie Austin could also be a target for Huddersfield Town after they lost Jordan Rhodes in an £8million move to Blackburn Rovers , although I understand their list of targets at the moment includes DJ Campbell, Fraizer Campbell and Leicester City duo Jermaine Beckford and Paul Gallagher.

But after completing the record £7m sale of Jay Rodriguez to Southampton earlier in the summer, Howe was not expecting to lose any more of his key players, and his stance has not changed.

“I always think it's a nice thing when you're players get linked because it means they're performing. But I'm pretty confident that we can keep hold of them,” said the Burnley boss.

“I wouldn't say I have any concerns.

“The window continually surprises you and we'll see if we get any bids for any of our players.

“We don't have to sell, that's for sure. But football being football you just never know what's round the corner and you can't make promises because you don't know potentially may happen.

“But we certainly don't want to sell anybody – one of our main men definitely.

“It's a case of trying to keep what we have, keep our best players – it's always a battle but that's what we'll look to do.

“We want a settled squad, I think we've got a settled squad now, and I think really we just want to add a couple because due to injuries we need a couple of attacking options.

“That's where we are at the moment. I don't think we can afford to lose anybody – we're too thin on the ground as it is.

“I think anyone that goes hopefully will go on our terms,” added Howe, who is looking to set up loan deals for fringe players.

“We'll definitely look to get some of the younger players out on loan so we'll wait and see what happens there.

“We're talking to a couple of clubs currently.”

In terms of incomings, Burnley have been linked with loan moves for Wigan striker Callum McManaman and Swansea forward Stephen Dobbie, while there is the potential for a permanent move for Bristol City striker Brett Pitman.

However, Howe believes a loan is more likely, and revealed he has a long list of targets.

“There are still hurdles to cross,” he said.

“The loan market has changed in recent years, loan fees have become fashionable and it can become quite expensive for really is at times two or three months – you're paying quite a bit of money, so there's that balance that needs to be thought about.

“Not many (Premier League clubs) do you favours, it's a business for them as much as it is for us. We've just got to make sure we know what we're going into.

“We've got a whole list and you can easily get knocked back. The timing's so important because the clubs have to agree to release their players, then you've got to agree the financials and the player's got to want to come and pick you ahead of probably four or five others.

“We've got a long list and we'll probably work our way through that list.

“In the end you've got to make sure you get the player that you want.”

Howe added: “I'd love to squeeze a second one. It depends on the price of any deal.

“If we can do two that work for us we might look to do that, if it's just one it's just one.

“It's very much dependent on price.”

But with the loan window re-opening a week after tomorrow’s deadline, and the two-week break for internationals falling after the visit of Brighton, Howe insists there is no need to panic.

“I'd love to get players in for Saturday but I want them to be the right ones so we'll have a look at our options and see what we can do.

“But still with loans there are still potential fees and wages to be covered so it's not as simple as everyone thinks.

“But when you are looking at loan deals at this stage of the season the window re-opens after a week anyway, so as much as we would like to get someone in for Saturday we'll just have to see who's available, who we can get, and then make that decision.”