IAN Moore has warned his Burnley team-mates that next season could be make or break.

The Clarets striker is counting down the days until a new manager rolls up at Turf Moor with his own grand plan.

Whoever takes charge faces a mammoth task, with only eight players remaining under contract.

And Moore fears even those with security could find themselves out in the cold unless they quickly impress the new boss.

Moore said: "When any manager leaves a club, it is always a bit strange because you don't know what is happening.

"I still have a year left here and there are only eight of us left now under contract. We all know we have to come back in pre-season and try to impress him straight away or we could find ourselves on the sidelines.

"We have to start all over again."

In a surprise move, Clarets chairman Barry Kilby met one of his short-listed candidates yesterday, with further talks taking place this weekend and a final decision now possible as early as Monday.

Moore meanwhile, reckons the vacant manager's job is one of the hottest tickets in town right now.

He added: "Who wouldn't want the job?

"Everyone saw the crowd against Sunderland on the last game of last season and that's the level of support we can get week in and week out with some success.

"The first couple of years I was here, we were getting fans right behind us. If we start getting a few wins again and climbing the table, that will get the momentum going all over again."

Meanwhile, Moore's father Ronnie admits his career is currently "in limbo". The Rotherham boss is believed to be a target for the Clarets, with the Millers desperately trying to keep hold of their man.

Prospective buyer Neil Freeman has offered Moore a place on the board and a lucrative five-year contract if his takeover deal at Millmoor goes through.

But a disagreement over the value of the club's assets has plunged the entire takeover into doubt, along with Moore's future.

"Freeman has mentioned a place on the board and a new contract, which is nice, but a million miles away at the moment," said Moore.

"It would be nice to know I was wanted because with one year left on my contract I'm in limbo.

"Everyone needs to know what's happening and that includes the manager and the fans."

Freeman himself insists he will approach Burnley chairman Barry Kilby for a place on his board should Moore leaves the club.

He said: "I've gone down every route with this deal, such as speaking with Ronnie to keep him at the club and making him an offer of a five-year contract extension, along with his assistant John Breckin.

"But if Ronnie walks away, I walk away. That's the top and bottom of it because he is the biggest commodity we've got.

"If he joins Burnley, I'll go and see his chairman and go on as a director.

"I'm big friends with Ronnie and it would be sad that I couldn't do it in my own town at a level that I want to it to be at."