Burnley boss looking to bolster squad

9:40am Saturday 19th July 2008

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OWEN Coyle insists he is doing his very best to deliver more summer signings at Turf Moor.

The Clarets boss takes his squad to Scotland this morning for a five-day trip that includes friendlies against Queen of the South, Partick Thistle, and Coyle’s former club St Johnstone.

And while in his native country, Coyle will hope to add another new name to the five players he has already recruited in the close season, although it is unclear whether that player will be Manchester United’s Chris Eagles.

A national newspaper yesterday reported that the 22-year-old winger had pulled out of United’s pre-season trip to South Africa at the last minute, in a bid to wrap up a move to Turf Moor.

However, a source close to the Premier League champions clarified that Eagles had flown out with the Red Devils, days after coming on as a substitute in United’s friendly at Aberdeen.

Coyle is remaining tight-lipped over his transfer targets, and insists he is not in any position to discuss on any speculation.

But the Burnley manager has re-iterated his desire to continue bolstering his squad in readiness for the new Championship campaign.

“I’m trying to ensure another couple of signings, but I’m not going to band names around,” said Coyle “If I am going to say who my targets are, it could alert other clubs. Once we make a signing, then we will talk about them.

“But suffice to say, we are doing our best to try and make another couple of signings.”

The Clarets head to Scotland for their three-game tour - beginning with today’s friendly at Queen of the South - with new goalkeeper Diego Penny in tow.

The 24-year-old finally landed into Manchester airport yesterday afternoon following a long journey from the Peruvian capital Lima.

The Peruvian international, recently granted a work permit to play in England, will meet his new team-mates for the first time this morning and could make his debut against Queen of the South.

After two draining friendlies against Carolina RailHawks and Minnesota Thunder in Burnley’s tour of America, Coyle insists the next batch of games will not prove any easier.

He said: “They are going to be competitive games. I know the people involved and we are definitely going to find it tough.

“Queen of the South are in Europe next season and Rangers found out how difficult opponents they were in last season's Scottish Cup Final.

“We are going to be training and working hard while we are up there, mixed in with a few games, in which we will be giving everybody some time on the pitch.

Coyle added: “We’ve had nine games organised (for pre-season), and we will be looking to give the players a minimum of five 90-minutes under their belt.

“It’s still all about fitness. Each individual will be looking just to move another rung up ther ladder and I'm sure they'll do that over the course of the five days or so that we’re in Scotland.”