NOTTINGHAM Forest are stepping up their interest in Charlie Austin, but Burnley are determined not to lose their 28-goal top scorer – not least to a Championship rival.

Forest were among the striker’s suitors before newly promoted Hull City agreed a fee with the Clarets last month, only for the deal to collapse through a failed medical.

Although Hull pulled out of the £4.5million deal at the 11th hour because of a knee problem picked up by tests, Forest have maintained a heavy interest in the 24-year-old.

Manager Billy Davies is hoping to add Austin to his attacking armour for the 2013/14 season.

But Burnley are ready to put up a strong resistance, and even remain hopeful of striking a new deal with the marksman in the final year of his contract, just four years after signing his first professional deal with Swindon Town from Poole Town.

Austin started his third straight friendly last night as Burnley won 2-1 at Tranmere.

Goals from Danny Ings and Dean Marney secured a 2-0 lead for Burnley before James Rowe pulled one back for Tranmere in the last minute.

Of Austin’s current situation, Burnley boss Sean Dyche said: “He’s good, he looks fit and well. We’re just building him up ready for the season.

“From my point of view, I’m delighted (he’s still at Burnley). He’s a solid boy and it (missing out on his move to Hull) is not the biggest hardship, if you’ve come from playing for Poole Town, working on a building site.

“There’s plenty of good things going on for him, and the fact he’s fit and well is one of them.

“We’re still letting the dust settle, we want to get him doing what he does best, enjoy his football and score some goals.

“Football has a way of sorting things out one way or another.”