The Andy Lochhead column

I HAD the pleasure of spending some quality time with Steve Cotterill this week.

We discussed the squad, the start to the season and his own ambitions for this club ... mine and your club.

I have to say that after our informal chat, I headed back home with a real spring in my step.

There's no doubt that Burnley Football Club is on the road to recovery after a rocky few years.

The solid start we've made has laid foundations for the immediate future, and while Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Coventry was a little disappointing, at least opposing teams now know that a date with Burnley again means a tough challenge.

However, it's still difficult for the club to reach that next level until some major investment is unearthed.

That leaves Steve and his backroom team constantly fighting to keep heads above water when injuries and suspensions bite.

Fourteen games into the season, we've finally reached that point. Frank Sinclair misses a cup game Burnley have a real chance of winning against Aston Villa next week, while striker Ian Moore is on the verge of a lay-off with his troublesome knee.

A dip into the loan market therefore seems inevitable, and for once I would urge Steve to shelve his own policy of only signing quality and just get a body in.

It doesn't matter if he is not the prettiest; what Steve needs is another option. Moore and Robbie Blake are similar type players, both needing balls to be played into feet for them to do the business.

At present, the only alternative aerial route involves a long ball up to Graham Branch and if he doesn't win the headers, the ball inevitably ends up coming straight back.

Another big man, even one with limited ability, would at worst take away that predictability and, at best, give the strikers and attacking midfielder something to feed off.

As I said, the loan market severely limits your options. Anyone doing the business is likely to be playing first team football somewhere else. But in the current climate, there is a small army of players desperately seeking first team action. Those players don't cost the earth, but to a manager battling supremely against all the odds, one could be worth his weight in gold.

I simply must say a huge thank you to Steve and his players for their magnificent gesture in offering a reward for my stolen FA Cup final medal.

A few short months ago I didn't know Steve from Adam, which makes his offer of help even more amazing.

I can't think him enough and everyone connected with Burnley Football Club should be proud to have a human being with such integrity in charge.