ADRIAN Heath faces a transfer joust with his former club Stoke City for the signature of a Dutch defender, writes TONY DEWHURST.

The Clarets manager has opened negotiations with a right-sided full back in the Netherlands and could make a capture early next week.

But I understand the First Division club have also spoken to the player. Heath is in the market for a full back following the shock departure of Gary Parkinson to rivals Preston North End last month.

And he hopes to watch two targets in action - a defender and a midfielder - at one of the Dutch Second Division Play-off fixtures this weekend.

One is out of contract with his club and that means, if Heath follows up his keen interest, the player could move to Turf Moor on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling.

Heath has already exploited that loophole with the capture of defender Marco Gentile. Heath explained: "We've spoken at length with the player and he knows how keen we are to take him.

"I am still looking to bring in a full-back, a wide man and a striker.

"With the season not yet completed in Holland it gives me a great opportunity to go to the Netherlands and see the targets I have in mind."

Heath hopes to have a goalkeeper in place next week after "fruitful talks" with a former international goalkeeper.

"He is keen to join us and is very enthusiastic about the prospect.

"Bringing in a goalkeeper as cover and competition for Marlon Beresford is a top priority.

"We should have at least one goalkeeper on board by the time we report back for pre-season training next month."

Turf Moor season tickets are still on open sale with discount prices available until 1.00 pm tomorrow.

Previous sport story

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.