BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent plans to keep his promotion-chasing side together next season by offering new deals to all his senior players -- including Ian Wright.

Detailed contract talks have been put on hold until the summer when Ternent will know which division the Clarets will be playing in and how that effects his budget.

But he has informed his out-of-contract players of his plans which means that the likes of key men Mitchell Thomas and Paul Cook will hopefully be extending their stays at Turf Moor.

Mark Robertson, currently out on loan in Australia, has already been offered new terms, while Graham Branch, Ronnie Jepson and Tom Cowan are also set to be given the chance to stay if they want to build on the progress the Clarets have made this term.

"I want to add to the squad and strengthen the squad but it would be easier if we were in the First Division and I had a few quid more.

"I'm happy with what I've got and I want to build on that and the lads are aware of that," Ternent confirmed.

As well as the club, the players will want to know their end-of-season fate before talking about new deals which could be for First or Second Division wages.

Ternent added: "If I went and said to them I'll give you 10 bob a week and we go into the First Division they would come and say gaffer can I have a bit more money. "At the same time I could say I'll give you 10 bob a week and if somebody says I'll give you a quid they are within their rights to go.

"But I just have to take that chance.

"I'll leave it until the end of the season and see where we are up to."

Ternent also confirmed that he would like to keep Wright, who has made a massive impact at Turf Moor since his move from Celtic in February but currently plans to retire at the end of the season.

"If I can keep Ian I'll keep him, but that will be Ian's decision. He's fantastic around the place and everything. And he's a good player," the boss added.

Inevitably there is so much hingeing on whether Burnley can return to the First Division for the first time since 1994/95.

And they will take a major step in the right direction by moving into the top two and an automatic promotion place for the first time since September if they beat sixth-placed Gillingham at an expectant Turf Moor tonight. "If we win five matches we will get an automatic promotion so that's a good situation to be in.

"We have to maintain what we've been doing. The players have done extremely well and we have come a long way and obviously we would like to get a promotion," said Ternent, whose side is unbeaten in eight games and victorious in their last three.

Gillingham won 5-0 on their last visit to Turf Moor last February but Burnley are now unrecognisable from those troubled times.

Ternent believes the re-building job is ahead of schedule but added: "When opportunity presents itself you have to take advantage of it. "And we have a situation now through the players' hard work that if we ran out and were able to win five matches together we are up.

"But I'm not one for looking too far ahead because I know through experience that strange things happen at this stage of the season.

"But this game is the biggest game for Burnley Football Club for a very long time. And when that's out the way next Saturday's will be the biggest game and so it goes on until the end of the season.

"But that goes with success. And it's better than it was at this stage last season when we had to win to maintain the status quo in this division."

Midfielder Micky Mellon has a slight hamstring problem and Steve Davis picked up a kick on the calf in Saturday's win at Oxford but both should be okay to continue. Glen Little is again suspended but Andy Cooke and Alan Lee could be battling it out to partner Andy Payton up front if Graham Branch reverts to the left wing-back role he filled for the second half at the Manor Ground.

Gillingham dangerman Carl Asaba is on his way back to fitness and may be on the bench, while Vince Bartram could replace Steve Mautone in goal having missed Saturday's 2-1 win over Wigan because he was stuck in traffic on the M25.

Burnley from: Crichton, West, Branch, Cox, Davis, Thomas, Cook, Mellon, Payton, Cooke, Johnrose, Smith, Lee, Wright, Jepson, Mullin, Weller, Armstrong, Brass, Cowan.

Gillingham from: Mautone, Bartram, Pennock, Edge, Ashby, Butters, Southall, Hessenthaler, Smith, Lewis, Gooden, Onuora, Asaba, Butler, Rowe, Bass, Nosworthy, Nosworthy.