BURNLEY are in talks with former Sunderland striker Ryan Noble, but have outlined their intent to keep Charlie Austin amid speculation that he is set for a Championship rival.

A national newspaper yesterday reported that QPR were lining up a cut-price £2.5million deal for Austin with the aim of pairing the marksman with £5m target Gary Hooper.

The Hoops are understood to be closing in on the Celtic striker, who was previously a target for Hull.

But the Clarets are yet to receive a firm offer from any club since the collapse of Austin’s proposed £4.5m move to Premier League bound Hull City following a failed medical earlier this month.

The Tigers U-turn has led to a number of clubs enquiring about the 24-year-old for a knockdown fee.

But Burnley, who are looking at 22-year-old Noble – a free agent following his release from the Stadium of Light – to bolster their strikeforce insist the only negotiations they want to hold regarding Austin are with the player himself, about extending his Turf Moor stay as he goes into the last year of his current contract.

“There has been some interest in him, but we would prefer to keep him if we can,” said Clarets’ co-chairman John Banaszkiewicz.

“We have had a few cheeky bids, but they’ve not been worth discussing. Some clubs have come in looking for a bit of a bargain.

“There’s nothing really to say there.

“It is still early days and he is still wearing a Burnley shirt.

“He seemed very focused and fit in the game on Monday, and in training (in Cork).

“I’m hoping that he will stay and we’re doing our best to try to keep him.

“He is a terrific guy.

“There is genuine interest to keep him if we can.”

The Lancashire Telegraph understands formal discussions have yet to take place between the Clarets, the player and his representative, but Burnley have made their position clear on where they see Austin’s immediate future.

The club were mindful of giving their player of the season time to come to terms with Hull’s decision to pull out of the deal at the 11th hour, but would like to hold talks in the coming days.

It is possible that any extension would include a clause in the event of interest from the Premier League.

Meanwhile, young forward George Porter completed a season-long loan move to AFC Wimbledon yesterday.

The 21-year-old signed a three-year contract with the Clarets from Leyton Orient last summer but has yet to make a senior appearance for the club.

He featured in the squad only once last season, as an un-used substitute in the Capital One Cup third round defeat at Swindon Town.

From January spent the rest of the season on loan at Colchester United, scoring once in 19 appearances.