BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill was today looking to tighten the net on transfer target Ade Akinbiyi.

Cotterill hopes to finally meet the Stoke City striker almost a week after the two clubs agreed a £600,000 fee matched by Sheffield United.

The Blades have already held talks with Akinbiyi, who has curiously kept them waiting since last weekend for an answer.

And that has given Cotterill hope of convincing the former Wolves, Leicester and Crystal Palace hitman that his future lies at Turf Moor instead.

Cotterill, whose side drew 1-1 with promotion chasing Derby County last night, said: "I don't think you are ever confident about signing someone until you sign the contract forms and shake hands.

"There is no news at the moment, but today might be a big day for us on that one. We played well last night and Akinbiyi would look very good on top of all that."

A stunning Jean-Louis Valois free kick from 25-yards put Burnley on course for victory at Derby before substitute Paul Peschisolido earned a share of the spoils for the Rams.

And Cotterill declared himself happy with five points from three successive away matches after a game of two halves at Pride Park.

He added: "I was very pleased with our performance, especially in the first half, and if we had maintained that in the second half I think we would have gone on to win the game.

"We didn't start too well for the first 10 or 15 minutes, but then we got into our stride and played some terrific stuff.

"There was some lovely passing that perhaps warranted more before half time, but Derby put us under pressure in the second half and when you can bring on Peschisolido you know he can nick you a goal.

"We were disappointed when Micah Hyde's header hit the post, but they also hit the post in the second half, so overall a draw was a fair result."

The point was garnered without defensive stalwarts Frank Sinclair and John McGreal, who are nursing hamstring and back injuries respectively.

And after praising the new central defensive pairing of Gary Cahill and Michael Duff, who were thrown together near the end of last weekend's FA Cup draw with Blackburn Rovers, Cotterill revealed he hopes to be able to call on one of his walking wounded for another big Lancashire derby away to Preston on Saturday.

He explained: "We almost didn't miss Frank and John and if we had been able to call on them, maybe we might have had that clean sheet last night.

"We know Frank will be out a little while, but we are hopeful John will be ready for the weekend."