BURNLEY may turn their attentions back to Peter Reid in their quest to find Owen Coyle's successor.

The former Manchester City and Sunderland boss went head-to-head with Coyle at the final interview stage in November 2007, following the departure of Steve Cotterill.

He was pipped by the young, ambitious Scot.

But after Coyle told them he wanted to join local rivals Bolton Wanderers, Burnley could now direct their search towards a more experienced manager as they bid to stay in the Premier League and use what’s left of the January transfer window.

Until a deal for Coyle is agreed, their hands are tied.

The 43-year-old has been placed on ‘gardening leave’ until a compensation package has been sorted out with Bolton, therefore Coyle cannot begin his new job and the Clarets cannot re-appoint.

But a manager in the mould of Reid would be ideal once the club is allowed to move, and certainly less of a gamble than a new, up and coming boss.

Time is of the essence too if signings – either permanently or on loan – can be made before the transfer window closes, and it is unlikely that a move for Reid would be complicated.

The 53-year-old is assistant manager to Tony Pulis at Stoke, but has only been at the Britannia Stadium since September after leaving his position as manager of Thailand and having his contract terminated by mutual consent.

Swansea manager Paulo Sousa is another name that has been linked with the imminently vacant post at Turf Moor.

Privately the Portuguese has ambitions to manage in the Premier League, but having lost former boss Roberto Martinez to Wigan Athletic in the summer, they are determined not to be cherry-picked again.

And the south Wales club have been quick to warn the Clarets off their boss.

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins said: “One, I don’t think Burnley will be getting in touch with me.

"And two, even if they do, I think you can state that I won’t be letting any club talk to our manager.”