BURNLEY were today set to smash their outgoing transfer record as Robbie Blake headed for a medical at Birmingham City.

The Clarets have agreed a £1.25m cash fee with the Blues for the Clarets striker, who was at St Andrews to discuss personal terms.

And chairman Barry Kilby believes the deal, which also includes several add-ons, represents good business for Burnley as they head into 2005 on a much firmer financial footing.

"Robbie is having a medical later today, but the £1.25 fee shows what a good buy Robbie initially was," said Kilby.

"We have had some good years out of him and ended up getting more than the £1m we originally paid, so it shows just how right we were to reject Wigan's initial offers."

Blake's Premiership move dwarfs Burnley's previous best outgoing transfer fee of £750,000, set when Steve Davis joined Luton Town in 1995.

Meanwhile, the Clarets continued to show there is life after Blake with a second successive 1-0 win away to Stoke City yesterday.

Steve Cotterill's men chalked up their sixth win in eight league games thanks to Gary Cahill's first senior goal.

And the victory was even sweeter for Burnley boss Cotterill, who endured a hostile return to the club he briefly managed in 2002.

Cotterill, who steered clear of gloating, insisted: "It's a good win and three points and that's all.

"I got was a hot reception but I fully expected that and I don't blame the Stoke fans for it.

"I am a lot older and a lot wiser and there are other people who are responsible for that decision - not only me.

"However, I have chosen to keep a dignified silence and I will continue to do that."

Cotterill, who revealed that Cahill rose from his sickbed to play, added: "I was delighted with our performance and I thought we were by far the better team, especially in the first half.

"We knew we needed to pick a big side and I thought John McGreal was absolutely outstanding.

"We were just disappointed to pick up an injury to Michael Duff. We don't know yet whether he has pulled his calf or it has just tightened up, so that is a bit of a blow."