Burnley boss Coyle: I would love to sign Nugent (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Burnley boss Coyle: I would love to sign Nugent

10:13am Tuesday 24th November 2009 in

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BURNLEY boss Owen Coyle wants to sign David Nugent on a permanent basis in January – but he is yet to find out whether he will have the funds to agree a fee during the transfer window.

Coyle revealed last week that he is eager to increase his squad size with ‘one or two’ signings, and the Clarets chief has now suggested that he could be keen to make Nugent’s loan move from Portsmouth permanent in January.

The striker switched to Turf Moor in August but his loan expires in the first week of January, when he is currently due to return to Pompey.

Burnley are likely to be able to extend the loan until the end of the season, with Nugent out of favour with Portsmouth boss Paul Hart, but it remains to be seen whether they will have the finances available to sort out a permanent deal during the transfer window.

Coyle is yet to discover his budget for January, with chief executive Paul Fletcher saying: “I’m sure those conversations will start between now and Christmas.”

Nugent still has a year and a half left on his Portsmouth contract and the Fratton Park club will be keen to recoup as much as possible of the £6m they paid when they signed the forward from Preston North End in 2007, although their financial situation could be a factor in any negotiations.

The 24-year-old lost his place at Turf Moor following the derby defeat at Blackburn Rovers last month, but his role as an impact substitute has still impressed Coyle enough for a permanent deal to be considered.

“Nugent is a class player and if I could bring him here permanently tomorrow, I would love to do it,” said the Burnley boss.

Nugent has been left frustrated by his bench role in the last four matches since Coyle opted to use Steven Fletcher as a lone striker.

It is a move the Burnley boss believes has paid off, with 22-year-old summer signing Fletcher now up to six goals for the season.

“There are one or two others that are probably frustrated right now because of the style of play and system we’re playing, and the fact that Fletcher is up there and playing out of his skin,” said Coyle.

“That’s what we want – the competition between players.

“I believe Steven Fletcher is getting better and better.

“I said from the outset when I brought him to the club, I’ve known him since he was a kid coming through at Hibernian and I’ve always kept my eye on him.

“I believe he can get better. He’s got quick feet, an eye for a goal, he’s good in the air.

“He’s taking confidence from knowing that as good as the players he is playing against, he’s at their level.

“I think he will continue to get better and be a tremendous servant to this football club – as they all are.

“They’ve all got an appetite for it, but particularly that younger group.

“They have to learn quickly and evolve and make sure we are a better team year by year.

“We don’t have all the answers. It’s very much a work in progress, but we are all up for the challenge and they all come in every day with a smile on their face and prepared to work hard.”