STEVE Cotterill was today hoping to secure the services of Aston Villa defender Gary Cahill for the rest of the season.

Cahill, 18, has been in stunning form during his two-month loan spell at Turf Moor, which is set to end following next Monday's league game at Stoke City.

As I understand it, Villa are happy for Cahill to remain with the Clarets for at least a further month.

But Burnley boss Cotterill remains optimistic that he can bolster his squad by securing Cahill's services until next summer.

Meanwhile, Burnley chairman Barry Kilby remains locked in talks with Birmingham City over Robbie Blake's proposed transfer to St Andrews.

The two clubs have still not reached agreement on the details of the striker's move, although Kilby insisted there was no rush since Blake cannot play for the Blues until January 5 due to Premiership transfer window rules.

Kilby said: "We are still in negotiations, but the devil is always in the detail in matters like this. However, I still hope we can resolve things in the near future."

Cotterill must now await developments with baited breath as he prepares his squad to face former club Leicester City on New Year's Day.

The Clarets boss has already hinted that Blake could feature against the Foxes if the transfer is not completed when the window swings opens on January 1.

But even if Birmingham do finally meet Burnley's asking price, Cotterill has warned fans not to expect a big money buy to replace the outgoing 13-goal striker.

He said: "We don't need the window to open, we just need the money! I've said we need reinforcements since August and I don't remember changing my mind.

"We know we need to be stronger and if there is a shout of getting some of the money from any transfer, we've got to make sure we spend it wisely.

"That's what we will aim to do, should we get any. If you get all the money, you have to be careful not to spend it too early because everybody sees the fee and thinks you've got that amount.

"But I don't anticipate us going out and signing a player for £400,000 or £500,000, even if we get the amount that's been talked about for Robbie. We may still need to beg, steal and borrow for a little while."

Cotterill will be boosted by former Leicester defender Frank Sinclair's return from suspension for the Foxes' visit.

And the Clarets boss, who ended last season coaching at the Walkers Stadium, admitted he was looking forward to welcoming his old club.

He said: "They were terrific to me in my time there so they are very welcome, but not that welcome that I would like them to win the game!

"I'm sure they will give a good account of themselves as the season goes on. At the moment, if you look at the league, it's tight in the middle.

"If you win two you could be sixth or seventh and if you lose two you could be 15th, but it isn't about the position, although that's what we all tend to look at.

"It's really the points that are important at this moment and we are relatively happy with our tally so far."

Cotterill added: "You can look back on lost points, like the 90th minute penalty at Plymouth, and wonder where another point might take you?

"So it's all about your points tally and to be fair, with the size of squad we have, we've done more than okay.

"That's a credit to the boys, because they're the ones that have to keep it going."