BURNLEY defender Michael Duff admitted he would welcome the signing of former Sheffield United and Everton centre half David Unsworth.

The England international was today due to put pen to paper on a one-year deal with the Clarets following his release from Wigan Athletic at the end of last season.

And Duff, who scored the equaliser in Burnley's 2-1 opening day win over promotion favourites West Bromwich Albion, believes 33-year-old Unsworth will be a valuable asset to the squad.

"It's probably the one area where we are a little bit short on numbers at the back, and it just adds more competition for places, which can only be good," the Northern Ireland international said.

"He's a well established name, he's played most of his career in the Premier League so he's obviously a good player.

"I just met him before the game but I'm sure he'll add strength in depth."

Manager Steve Cotterill was also delighted to add experience to the defence, especially at a time when his rearguard has already been hit by injury with captain Steven Caldwell limping off in the first half with a hamstring problem, while Wayne Thomas recovered from a back strain in time to start on Saturday.

"He's going to sign for a year and we're very pleased with that considering we've been light in that area," said Cotterill of Chorley-born Unsworth, who was at Turf Moor to witness the Clarets get the 2007/08 campaign off to a flying start.

"We've been light at the back and throughout pre-season we've been right on our nerves with it.

"He will just bring great experience and great strength to our back four.

"So looking back on what's happened (with Steven Caldwell's injury), we're delighted to bring him in.

"He's obviously going to be short of fitness, and I'm sure he won't mind me saying that, as you get on, it gets harder, but he will just bring great experience to the dressing room, and I'm sure that when he's called upon, he won't let us down.

"So we may throw him in the deep end on Tuesday night (in the League Cup at Grimsby), we won't judge him, but we may throw him in the deep end and hopefully he'll swim."