THE January transfer window is often maligned but can form a key part of any side’s season.

It is the only time to make additions to the squad during the campaign and, in Burnley’s case this season, boost the numbers ahead of a promotion push towards the Premier League.

Sean Dyche has brought in Ashley Barnes from Brighton this month and the forward made his debut in the weekend win over Yeovil.

Given that he only saw a few minutes of playing time it is far too early to say whether his Turf Moor career will be hit or miss.

But with the window having been in place since the 2002/03 season there have been plenty of players signed by the Clarets that have proved positive – and a fair few that have not had the impact required.

Here, the Lancashire Telegraph takes a look at a few of the best, and the worst.

THREE OF THE BEST

CHARLIE AUSTIN

Signed from Swindon Town for £1.2 million in January 2011

THE Clarets won the race to sign the then 21-year-old Austin, at the time one of the Football League’s hottest properties, and he more than justified his price tag.

After taking some time to settle, he scored 16 goals in his first full season, followed by 28 the season after leading to a £4million move to Queens Park Rangers last summer.

KIERAN TRIPPIER

Signed from Manchester City for an undisclosed fee in January 2012

THE full-back had enjoyed a highly successful loan spell at Turf Moor in the first half of the 2011/12 season and it was considered a real coup when the deal was made permanent when the January window opened.

He was named Burnley’s Player of the Season that year and made the PFA Championship Team of the Year last season.

It was definitely money well spent.

ANDY COLE

Signed from Sunderland on loan in January 2008

AT the time of his arrival at Turf Moor, only Alan Shearer had scored more Premier League goals than Cole and his top-level experience quickly made a difference to the Clarets.

A goal on his first start against Colchester was followed by a hat-trick against QPR as he scored six goals in his 13 Clarets games – only eight of them starts

THREE OF THE WORST

FREDERIC NIMANI

Signed from Monaco on loan in January 2010

AFTER attracting plenty of admiring glances from Europe’s elite earlier in his career, the France under 21 international arrived at Burnley on loan with a £4million permanent option.

However, after two uninspiring substitute appearances against Bolton and Aston Villa, the Clarets decided against taking up the option to sign Nimani and he returned to Monaco.

LEON CORT

Signed from Stoke City for £1.5m in January 2010

CORT was signed by Brian Laws in an effort to shore up Burnley’s porous defence and give them a chance of Premier League survival.

However, the move didn’t work out and Cort quickly found himself out of favour after relegation. He was loaned out, first to Preston and then to Charlton, who signed him permanently in 2012.

MICHAEL RICKETTS

Signed from Leeds United on loan in January 2006

BURNLEY became the latest in a long line of clubs hoping to resurrect the England inter-national’s career when he signed on loan from Leeds.

He started well enough, with two goals in his first three games.

Sadly, that was as good as it got and his apparent lack of desire was a factor in the Clarets sending him back to Yorkshire.