BURNLEY manager Eddie Howe is determined to build a new promotion challenge around key players like Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears, and fend off interest in his prized assets in the summer.

The duo were keen to stay in the Premier League after the Clarets were relegated last season and may be reluctant to commit to a second straight Championship campaign after missing out on the top six this time.

Former Manchester United winger Eagles, in particular, has been a target for top flight clubs and was heavily linked with Everton in the January transfer window.

But as he and right back Mears, who has played in the Premier League with West Ham, Derby and the Clarets, will both enter into the final season of their current contract after the summer break, Howe is hoping to persuade them to stay for one more push.

“I’d imagine there would still be focus on them because both have had good seasons and both have one year left on their contract,” said the Burnley boss.

“I certainly hope they both stay because they are important parts of the team.

“But we just have to wait and see.”

With Burnley benefiting from a second instalment of £16million parachute payments after a season in the Premier League, Howe at least has the assurance that he won’t be pressured to sell in order to add to his squad in the summer.

But with the majority of his squad staying under contract into next year, he is building up to a busy time in the transfer market.

“Since I came in we’ve been assessing the squad,” he said.

“We’ll have to make some tough decisions but we’re pretty certain in our mind the players that we want to keep for next year and players that we want to move the club forward with.

“They’re exciting times for us.

“The next few days are going to be difficult because with every good decision there comes a tough one with it.

“But it’s exciting because we’re looking to next year. We’re looking to the future.”

And in doing so he was pleased to offer extended deals to young professionals Wes Fletcher, Alex McDonald, Dominic Knowles and Alex-Ray Harvey, as well as offering five youth team players their first professional deals.

“It’s very good news for them. It’s probably the hardest part of the job when dealing with young players and deciding their futures because unfortunately with the good news comes some bad,” he said.

“They are incredibly difficult decisions but ones that have to be made.

“We’ve got a number of good players in the youth team that need their opportunity as well and if you keep everybody it becomes a backlog of players, so unfortunately we had to let a few go to make some space and the other lads have been given an opportunity now to further their careers.

“We believe they’ve all got potential. It’s going to be an important year for them next year and hopefully they can do well.”