Burnley boss expects slow start to loan window (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Burnley boss expects slow start to loan window

10:20am Saturday 8th September 2012 in Sport By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter

BURNLEY manager Eddie Howe is not expecting any immediate incomings or outgoings when the loan window opens today.

The Clarets boss has been seeking attacking reinforcements, despite the return of Martin Paterson from a slight hamstring injury, while the club is open to interest in winger Keith Treacy, who last week caught the eye of Millwall.

Connor Wickham has been linked with a temporary move from Sunderland, although finances mean it is unlikely to happen with the striker reported to be earning £25,000 a week and the Black Cats seeking 75 per cent of that for the course of the deal.

Brett Pitman continues to be linked with a club but I understand it is highly unlikely he will be joining the Clarets.

But after adding winger Cameron Stewart on loan until January from Hull before the transfer window closed, Howe is continuing to scour the loan market for options to boost his squad while he awaits Danny Ings’ comeback from knee surgery.

However, the Burnley manager admits there is nothing imminent.

“We’re not close to anything,” he said.

“We’ve had our eyes open and still will have at the moment but we’re not going to move on anything yet. We’ll wait for the right player, not sign someone for the sake of it.

“We’ve got time now the window has re-opened. Hopefully we can sort something out.”

In the meantime, Howe is focusing on his current crop, and insisted he will be prepared to blood younger players when the time is right.

Steven Hewitt made his full debut in the Capital One Cup win over Plymouth – scoring in the penalty shoot-out, Shay McCartan was named on the bench at Middlesbrough and midfielder Cameron Howieson is knocking on the first team door.

The 17-year-old was given a month off following a summer of international duty with New Zealand’s senior team and the Oly Whites (Under 23s) in the Olympic Games but returned the club’s Gawthorpe training base last week.

“Cameron has come back and did really well in the behind closed doors game with Blackpool on Wednesday, playing for 80 minutes,” said Howe.

“Physically he has filled out a bit and got stronger, and is probably more prepared for playing men’s football. He’s come on a bit technically too.

“With all the young players is a case of assessing if they are stronger than the ones we have in the first team. I always play what I believe to be my strongest team.

“But they are training with us every day and improving, and they have got to make that breakthrough.”