KEVIN Davies has been backed to bring valuable leadership skills to the Burnley squad if the Clarets opt to bring the striker to Turf Moor this summer.

Sean Dyche has admitted he is looking at potential targets up front as he awaits news on the futures of Charlie Austin and Martin Paterson.

It is believed the Burnley boss is open to move to sign Davies on a free transfer, having played with the 36-year-old during their days together at Chesterfield in the late 1990s.

And Clarets legend Frank Casper thinks Dyche should move for Davies, believing the forward could provide an important presence in a youthful Burnley dressing room.

“I think Kevin Davies would be a very good addition,” said Casper.

Davies’ age and his status as a former Blackburn Rovers player would cause some debate, and the Clarets would face severe competition for the signature of a player released by Bolton at the end of the season.

Sheffield Wednesday and Blackpool are among a host of Championship clubs interested, while Premier League side Sunderland have also been linked.

Davies has recently returned from Barbados and is due to speak to clubs this week before making a decision over his future.

Casper added: “You just want good players, it doesn’t matter whether they played for Blackburn, Bolton, Preston or whoever," said the former Burnley forward.

“It is quite a young team and he would be a good leader.

“They’ve got a leader at the back and I think he would be a leader up front.

“The younger players like Danny Ings could feed off him like I did with Andy Lochhead and Paul Fletcher.

“Andy was very a powerful player who was good in the air and I think Kevin Davies is a similar type of player.

“He can hold the ball up well, he scores goals and he seems like a good professional who has that real will to win. You need players like that.”

Davies joined Blackburn for a then club record fee of £7.5m in 1998, but lasted only a year before returning to Southampton.

Burnley already have one former Blackburn player, Keith Treacy, in their squad.

Meanwhile, the Clarets continue to hold out for more money for striker Austin, despite Hull’s confidence last week that they were close to agreeing a fee.

The Tigers may return with an improved offer having seen one of close to £4m turned down, although they are still considering other options.

Paterson, meanwhile, continues to attract interest from Wolves as he ponders the Clarets’ offer of a new contract.

Dyche has admitted that Burnley have to assess potential additions up front in case either player leaves.

“Obviously we have to be aware of the ‘what ifs’ with the Pato situation and the interest around Charlie,” said the Burnley boss.

“We have to be aware of that situation, but that’s not the only area we’re looking at.”