GREAT BUSINESS: Alan Moore's arrival at Turf Moor was a great move by Stan Ternent Clarets look to strengthen their top of the table squad IN WITH

THE NEW Stan looking to bring in the new BARGAIN: Arthur Gnohere IF Clarets manager Stan Ternent made a New Year's resolution at midnight it is possible it will have been fulfilled before the club's next league game - strengthen his squad.

After this afternoon's clash with Bradford City at Turf Moor the Clarets are without a league match until the trip to Wimbledon on January 12 and Ternent is ready to use the break to bring in new blood.

There is the small matter of the mouth watering FA Cup tie against Canvey Island but the league campaign remains the priority for everyone at Turf Moor.

The last time there was a gap in the league programme, for an international weekend in October, Burnley brought in Tony Grant from Manchester City and he made his debut as a substitute in the next match at Nottingham Forest.

Chairman Barry Kilby has promised that he and the board will do everything they can to back their manager in the transfer market and he has certainly proved adept at finding bargains with Gareth Taylor, Arthur Gnohere and Alan Moore all being free transfers and Grant himself costing just £250,000.

With four games scheduled in 11 days over the Christmas period it was always unlikely that there would be much transfer activity although the festive period did not stop the Clarets making an enquiry about Stockport County striker Shefki Kuqi.

Ternent has always made a virtue of the fact that his squad has been settled for over a couple of years with any changes being more evolution than revolution. Having given the side such a great start to the season he is unlikely to undertake major surgery but he knows he needs perhaps three or four players if the club is going to withstand the assault from the teams below them at the start of 2002.

It is the most open first division race for years and all the clubs who are in the pack behind the Clarets will be just as keen to strengthen their squads. But the Burnley boss is also well aware that there is no point in bringing in anyone who is not as good as he already has.

No matter how much speculation there is about new faces and imminent arrivals, Ternent will continue to deflect questions. CLARETS: From back page

That is until he is ready to unveil any addition to his squad. That was how the deal for Grant was done.

His was a name that had been linked with Burnley suddenly pulling on a Claret and Blue shirt.

With the race for the Premier League hotting up there must be every chance that within the next ten days there will be at least one new man at Turf Moor. Ternent will certainly hope so.

Meanwhile Canvey Island warmed up for the big cup game at Burnley on Saturday afternoon with yet another victory at Aldershot Town on Saturday. The 3-1 win was revenge against one of only two teams to have beaten Jeff King's side this season and they will travel north in buoyant mood. REPORTS FROM ALL THE

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TOMORROW'S EVENING TELEGRAPH