BURNLEY have put their interest in Toulouse striker Eugene Dadi on hold.

Dadi has spent the last week on trial with the Clarets and boss Stan Ternent was keen to have a closer look at the 27-year-old front man in last night's reserve game against Bolton at Turf Moor.

But the anticipated international clearance allowing Dadi to play wasn't in place.

And with little sign of that situation changing without Burnley committing themselves to some sort of extended stay for the Ivory Coast-born player any prospect of an imminent deal looks unlikely.

Clarets chief scout Cliff Roberts explained: "We have had the lad over for a trial, he played a part of the closed door game with Manchester United last week and we had hoped to play him last night. We have been reasonably impressed with what he's done but we needed to see him in a full game.

"Unfortunately the agents that brought him across couldn't get the international clearance in time to play last night and unfortunately it doesn't look like the clearance will be forthcoming, which is a disappointment to everyone at Burnley Football Club."

It's also likely to be a disappointment to Dadi, who is keen to make the breakthrough in English football and was interested in a move to Turf Moor.

"I have enjoyed training with the Burnley players. They are good footballers with fine ability," said Dadi, who joined Toulouse from Austrian football last summer but has since been made available by the French club.

"I would love to have the opportunity to play in England and I would be interested in playing for a club like Burnley.

"I know of Burnley's heritage and how they would like to play at the highest level in England."

However, it appears that the package that brought Dadi over here was incomplete in terms of his availability for competitive matches without some sort of registration.

And with a likely loan fee and potential permanent price tag of £1 million on the player, Ternent wasn't willing to take a chance without further evidence of Dadi's ability in his quest for striking reinforcements.

The Clarets look set to go with what they have against Barnsley on Saturday as they look to improve on their 10th-place in the table with a first home League win in four attempts.

However, goalkeeper Nik Michopoulos is facing a race against time to be fit to face the Tykes.

The Greek international wouldn't have played against Scunthorpe on Tuesday night had the FA Cup tie beaten the weather.

But a few extra days gives him the chance to recover from a knee problem and hold off the claims of number two Paul Crichton.

Barnsley's recently appointed manager Nigel Spackman is desperate to bolster his injury-hit squad and has agreed a fee with Bradford City for striker Isiah Rankin.

The Tykes, with just one win in seven League games, are also interested in Manchester City midfielder Ian Bishop.

Burnley's reserves lost 2-1 at home to Bolton last night without the services of Dadi as Micky Mellon picked up a potentially costly yellow card.

There was no booking, however, for Bolton's recent signing Nicky Summerbee, who incensed the Clarets camp when catching Burnley youngster Joel Pilkington with an elbow.

Burnley's FA Cup third-round replay at Scunthorpe United has been re-arranged for next Tuesday night (kick-off 7.45). Tickets bought for the original replay date are still valid or refunds are available from the Turf Moor ticket office.