FIRST Division Grimsby Town have issued a stark hands-off message to Burnley and warned: "Brian Laws is not leaving Blundell Park."

And today the Mariners moved to quell the growing speculation linking their player-manager with a move to Turf Moor.

Grimsby Town chairman Bill Carr confirmed that no approach had been made by Burnley for permission to speak to Laws - but that could change.

"We have not heard anything from Burnley," he said. "Brian Laws is doing a tremendous job here and he is not going anywhere."

Laws again publicly declared his wish to stay at Grimsby following last night's FA Cup KO against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He said: "I intend to stay at Grimsby and I would only leave if I did not feel wanted by the supporters and the directors.

"Of course I am flattered with the interest shown by Burnley, but I am doing a job at Grimsby."

But, despite Grimsby's official line, I would not rule out an approach for the player/manager.

His Blundell Park contract expires in the summer and Grimsby have confirmed he faces disciplinary measures over the Ivano Bonneti affair. A return to Turf Moor could yet prove an irresistible challenge for Laws.

Meanwhile, Burnley were rocked by further bad injury news today just 24 hours the Evening Telegraph revealed that centre-forward Ian Helliwell could be ruled out for up to a month. Striker Nathan Peel had an exploratory operation at the Fulwood Hall Hospital in Preston last night after he was stretchered off in Doncaster Rovers' Division Three clash against Fulham at Belle Vue on Monday.

"Nathan has had the surgery done and it appears he has damaged the knee ligaments," explained physio Andy Jones.

"Until I speak to the consultant I will not know the extent of the damage. He is in quite a bit of pain so it does not look too promising."

Peel joined Doncaster a week ago on loan and made an impressive debut in the 3-3 draw at Northampton Town a week ago.

Young striker Andy (pictured above) Cooke staked a strong claim for a place in the starting line-up for the Lancashire derby clash with Blackpool. He bagged a second half strike in last night's 2-2 Pontins League draw against Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

Goalkeeper Jimmy Glass has returned to Crystal Palace after his month loan at Turf Moor expired yesterday.

Tottenham Hotspur's England international Gary Mabbutt is the latest name to be linked with the vacant Turf Moor post.

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