BURNLEY have confirmed that all their second and third year apprentices will not be offered professional contracts at Turf Moor.

Striker Cayne Hanley, midfielder Nicky Platt, defenders Martin Reilly and Rob Henry and goalkeeper Mark Crossley, who was named as a substitute for the Clarets first team game at Coventry last weekend, have all been told they have no future at the club.

Sole third-year apprentice Marc Pugh, who has been in remarkable goalscoring form for the youth team this season to earn a call-up to the first team squad on several occasions, completes the summer clear-out.

Head of youth development Vince Overson said: "It was a joint decision between the manager, his staff, myself and (youth team coach) Terry Pashley, after the lads came and approached the manager about their futures.

"They have shown a great attitude since though and are continuing to train and play here.

"We want to help them get fixed up with new clubs and there has already been interest in a few of them, so we hope that it works out."

Burnley's youth system is finally showing shoots of recovery after years of decline.

Most of the youth team have been exposed to regular reserve team football, while Irish teenagers Kyle Lafferty and Chris McCann - both in the second year of their apprenticeships - have been rewarded with professional contracts after being involved with the first team squad for most of the season.

First year apprentices Ali Akbar, Tom Blackler, Paul Casey, Jack Overson, Jay Rodriguez, Connor Smith and Dale Underwood are unaffected by the announcement as, under a new system implemented at the start of the 2004/05 season, youngsters sign a two-year contract after which they are either taken on as a professional, or released.

All the released players will remain at Burnley until the end of the season, but will be allowed to leave should they find new clubs or be offered trials elsewhere.