IT’S that time of the year when tabloid newspaper columns, football websites and blogs and now Twitter run wild with rumour and counter rumour about possible incomings at clubs, and potential outgoings.

Burnley are not immune to it.

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If anything, relegation from the Premier League means they are even more susceptible to speculation linking members of their current squad to other clubs.

Danny Ings was nailed on for a summer move, while the longer the season went on and the more Kieran Trippier looked at home at that level, Burnley fans braced themselves for another major exit.

Like ripping a plaster off, it was painful but they had to let it happen.

Few would begrudge either of them the opportunity after each had four years’ service at Turf Moor, being instrumental in the promotion campaign, and giving the top flight a good go.

Beyond that, there are players who you would expect to stay and – to coin the manager’s phrase – “Go again” next season as Burnley look to mount another push for the top flight.

But equally, there is uncertainty.

Goalkeeper Tom Heaton proved himself more than capable in the Premier League, so much so that he earned himself an England call-up.

He will have his suitors, but the former Manchester United stopper is motivated by regular first team football and will not wish to compromise that position. That is a feather in Burnley’s cap when it comes to keeping him.

Jason Shackell, on the other hand, appears to have itchy feet.

Manager Sean Dyche is adamant that there will be no further Turf exits unless he says so. But players wield the power in modern day football, and if Shackell wants to go - if there is unfinished business with Derby - then the chances are he will.

Should that be the case, the captain might have to be careful what he wishes for.

You only have to look back to the summer of 2011 when Chris Eagles and Tyrone Mears pushed for moves. Just four years down the line, and after a relegation with Bolton, they have suffered a fall from grace.

Both were released by Bolton 12 months ago. Mears struggled to get a club before moving to the MLS with Seattle Sounders, Eagles has had short-term spells with Blackpool and Charlton Athletic and remains without a club.

More recently, Martin Paterson felt he could do better than Burnley, turned down the offer of a new deal to sign for Huddersfield and ended that season on loan to Bristol City, before a loan spell with Fleetwood the season after. He could have been part of another promotion year. Now he is with Orlando City, albeit calling Kaka a team-mate, on his third loan away from the Terriers.

While Chris McCann has a full-time club, his story is similar. A new contract was rejected in favour of a move to Wigan, who will play in League One next season.

Obviously, after a taste of the Premier League there is a desire among the Burnley squad to get back there at the earliest opportunity.

But the grass is not necessarily always greener.