BURNLEY have not yet had to fight off any bids for their players in the January transfer window – and manager Eddie Howe hopes it stays that way.

The Clarets turned down big money for both Jay Rodriguez and Martin Paterson in the summer, and the strikers were expected to attract further interest once movement was permitted again.

Rodriguez was understood to be the subject of a minimum £5million offer from Southampton before the previous transfer window closed in August.

And with the Saints looking to cement at least an automatic promotion place in the second half of the season, they may again try to turn to the Burnley-born forward to boost their armoury.

Paterson has been in goalscoring form since recovering from a recurrence of the torn thigh muscle which kept him out for most of last season.

The ex-Stoke and Scunthorpe striker was a target for former Clarets boss Steve Cotterill while he was in charge of Portsmouth in the summer.

As yet, there have not been any fresh approaches for either player - or anyone within the Turf Moor camp at this stage - which is good news for Howe, who is trying to add to his squad for the second half of the campaign.

Dean Marney is reported to be a target for three Championship clubs, but the Burnley boss is keen for the midfielder to stay.

The form of Marvin Bartley meant the former Hull City enforcer had to settle largely for cameo appearances from the bench between late September and early December. But he has forced his way back into the side following impressive performances in away wins at West Ham and Brighton.

Birmingham, Cardiff and Ipswich are all said to be tracking the 27-year-old, who is contracted to the Clarets until the summer of 2013, but Howe said: “We wouldn’t want to lose Dean Marney.

“He is playing in the team and doing well. He wasn’t happy a bit back to be left out, but Dean has done very well since he came back in and is a big part of our team.”