EVER-PRESENT Graham Alexander has held initial talks to extend his Burnley career.

The veteran defender is in the last of a two-year contract he signed to complete a £200,000 transfer from rivals Preston in August 2007.

But manager Owen Coyle has begun negotiations with the 37-year-old Scotland international to keep him at Turf Moor beyond a season in which he has been instrumental in steering the Clarets to fourth in the Championship and a Carling Cup semi-final.

“He knows the opinion I’ve got of him, I’ve already had dialogue with him,” confirmed Burnley boss Coyle.

“He knows exactly where we are in terms of finance at the club, and we’ll try to do something.

“From day one when I came in he’s been a godsend. He’s the type of player you want to work with. If I ask him to do a job, I know it’s going to be done the way I want it done.

“Graham was outstanding (against Arsenal), he’s played every minute of every game for me (this season) and it shows the esteem I hold him in.”

And Coyle, who himself played senior football into his forties, believes age should be no barrier to Alexander, who has proved equally adept for the Clarets at both right back and in the holding midfield role.

“He can go on for as long as he wants to. What he has in his makeup, other than being a gifted footballer, is a real desire,” he said.

“His fitness levels are there and, touch wood, although he’s had a knock this week, he can stay injury free, and that’s key.

“He has a better physique than I ever had, and that helps his longevity.”

Although Alexander missed yesterday’s training session, albeit reluctantly, after suffering a knock against Arsenal, Coyle does not expect to be without his experienced campaigner for tomorrow’s trip to Sheffield United.

“He very rarely misses a training session, I think this one is the first I can recall, and he wanted to be out there, but I’ve put the brakes on him to temper it so he’s okay,” said the Clarets chief.

“After the last international break I had to ring him up and say not to come in on the Thursday after the Scotland game, to make sure I didn’t see him until the Friday, otherwise he would have been in.

“It’s important we look after him in terms of rest, and we’re benefiting from that.

“What a perfect role model for anybody aspiring to be a top player.

“I think some of the Arsenal team will have looked at his performance and know he’s a Scottish international and has played against the very best, and for someone of 37 to cover the ground he did, and pass the ball as well as he did, showed that is how to be a real professional.”

If fit, Alexander is likely to start at right back tomorrow as Michael Duff covers for the suspended Clarke Carlisle in central defence.

Coyle hoped that both Duff and Tuesday’s goal hero Kevin McDonald would be able to resume training today after also missing yesterday’s session, along with Robbie Blake, who was snowed in, but Steven Thompson is available after being cup-tied.

“It’s a bit of a casualty ward,” said Coyle.

“Clarke’s suspended, so again we’ll have to reshuffle, but that’s nothing new for us, and the lads that come in will be ready to do their best.”