Mills can be a boon for Clarets (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Mills can be a boon for Clarets
11:10am Tuesday 17th July 2012 in Sport
By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter
BURNLEY are understood to be close to making Reading left back Joseph Mills their fourth summer signing.
The 22-year-old was part of the Royals’ promotion winning squad last season, but has fallen down the pecking order behind Ian Harte and the return of Nicky Shorey on a one-year deal following promotion to the Premier League.
But Clarets boss Eddie Howe is thought to be ready to pluck attacking full back Mills from the Royals’ wilderness, in the hope of completing a deal before Saturday’s first friendly at Altrincham.
Should the move go ahead, it could set up a sibling showdown on the opening day of the season, with the defender’s brother, Matt, preparing for the Championship season with relegated Bolton Wanderers.
It would also provide much-needed competition in a specialist defensive role.
At the moment Daniel Lafferty is Burnley’s only recognised senior left back, although Ben Mee played most of his 35 games in that role last season.
Mills, who joined Reading from Southampton last summer, is not expected to command a large fee, despite signing an improved contract in January after the Royals’ took over the youngster’s St Mary’s contract.
Should he join Burnley, he would add to the defensive reinforcements Howe has made with the capture of experienced centre half Jason Shackell from Derby County and young right back Luke O’Neill.
Winger George Porter, who arrived from Leyton Orient earlier this month, completes the list of summer signings so far.
Burnley are hoping to avoid further exits following the £7million sale of Jay Rodriguez to Southampton, and are encouraged that Norwich City’s interest in Chris McCann appears to have cooled.
The Clarets were bracing themselves for a bid from Premier League club but it has not yet materialised.
Meanwhile, contrary to rumours, Preston striker Iain Hume is not training with Burnley.
The 28-year-old is one of eight North End players who have been told to stay away from the club by manager Graham Westley, who is keen for them to find new clubs this summer.
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Comments (12)
11:34am Tue 17 Jul 12
verbal discharge says...
Defence looks to be sorted, another striker, a ball-playing box to box midfielder and another winger please
11:56am Tue 17 Jul 12
Dr Leonard Hofstadter says...
Agree we need another option up front, but not sure about an additional winger. Wallace, Treacy, Stanislas and Porter should be enough.
Along with the defence, the other main weakness last season was the midfield - and that's got to be the priority now. Hopefully one will be brought in that allows McCann to play in his best role and not the one he was forced to play last term.
12:16pm Tue 17 Jul 12
donegal claret says...
12:30pm Tue 17 Jul 12
claret88 says...
Taxi For Grant and we have a great chance this season.
1:00pm Tue 17 Jul 12
MikeMada says...
1:01pm Tue 17 Jul 12
MikeMada says...
1:09pm Tue 17 Jul 12
fylde exile says...
1:44pm Tue 17 Jul 12
vintageclaret says...
Is it a true story or just a romance?
Quote "Agree we need another option up front, but not sure about an additional winger. Wallace, Treacy, Stanislas and Porter should be enough".
Don't think Wallace was played to his best position last season. Treacy neve wanted to leave Preston and it showed in his attitude. Jury is still out on Junior, he's lazy, doesn't come back to help out, he tries to showboat too much and more often than not his final ball is generally terrible. Don't know much about Porter not having seen him play.
Quote: " I agree with the midfield now being our main priority,are either Marney or Bartley up to the mark" Thought Marney had his best season last year and Marvin certainly improved and think this season will be a good one for them both.
Beast - Grant; Let's face it they are both mediocre goalies. Yes we have shared a lot of glory with the Beast but we have also seen a lot of howlers from him. Grant is too erratic perhaps caused by lack of confidence in an erratic defence. Whichever way neither of them are truly good enough or attack minded, they are both guilty of posing/lingering too long with the ball and then resorting to a long hoof upfield which invariably comes straight back. Grant occasionally has shown quick throw/roll outs to start an attack but needs to study/do it more often, especially having a player like Trippier who can quickly take the ball forward.
With two overlapping full backs we have been caught out too often by them not being covered when they go forward and this is where the midfield needs sorting out.
7:18pm Tue 17 Jul 12
kingy999 says...
9:33pm Tue 17 Jul 12
annatary1 says...
4:26pm Wed 18 Jul 12
FCBurnley says...
10:08pm Wed 18 Jul 12
ossybsting says...