Clarets duo in new contract talks (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Clarets duo in new contract talks

10:10am Saturday 1st September 2012 in Sport Exclusive By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter

Clarets duo Chris McCann and Martin Paterson are in talks to extend their Turf Moor deals.

Both players are in the last year of their current contracts, and manager Eddie Howe is keen to finalise their future at the club after avoiding any shock exits ahead of last night’s transfer deadline.

McCann and Paterson were both linked with moves in the summer. McCann was a target for Norwich before Paul Lambert left to take charge of Aston Villa.

New Canaries boss is believed to be an admirer of the midfielder’s, but the former Birmingham boss opted against making a move in this window.

Paterson was also understood to be a target for Derby County, and there were rumours of a potential swap deal with Jason Shackell.

In the end, Burnley were able to sign the central defender without making that compromise, as Burnley boss Howe is determined to keep the striker at the club.

Paterson has been beset by injuries over the last three seasons since helping the Clarets clinch promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2009.

He has been absent since the opening day win over Bolton Wanderers after suffering a minor hamstring tear.

But Howe is expecting to have Paterson available again soon, and is looking long-term with both him and McCann, who has been with the Clarets since the age of 16 and captained the side last season.

Howe will be hopeful of reaching another agreement in the coming weeks after getting McCann on a new 12-month contract last year, with a 12-month option that was activated this summer after the Dubliner missed most of the previous two campaigns through injury.