DRISSA Diallo has committed his future to the Clarets until the end of the season - and he will now target an even longer stay.

Having secured the defender until May, the Clarets now hope to strike a deal with keeper Marlon Beresford that will ensure that he remains at least as long.

Chairman Barry Kilby will be meeting Beresford's agent tomorrow to discuss a deal that could keep him at the club until the end of next season but he may sign a shorter deal before then to ensure he can play against Coventry at the weekend.

French defender Diallo has been a big hit at Turf Moor since he arrived at the beginning of the year and he has played four times after making his debut against Ipswich Town.

His one month contract has now been extended and he has admitted: "I am very happy in Burnley and I hope that I will be able to stay here."

His displays have done enough to guarantee him a contract until the summer and he is hoping that he can do enough to persuade Clarets boss Stan Ternent that he should be part of his plans for next season as well.

The financial problems at Turf Moor have been well documented and Diallo is the first signing of the season for Ternent, if Beresford's monthly deals are taken out of the equation.

The 30-year-old arrived in England from the Belgian club Mechelen after they went into liquidation and the Burnley boss has been keen to secure his services on a longer term basis.

He has been happy with the way he has settled into the team, particularly impressing against Brentford in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and he was one of few players to escape criticism after the defeat by Reading last weekend.

He will be on duty at Highfield Road on Saturday although it remains to be seen whether he will be alongside fellow Frenchman Arthur Gnohere.

Gnohere had been scheduled to turn out for the reserves against Bury at Turf Moor last night after a very disappointing display against Reading but the Avon Insurance Premier League clash was postponed following a pitch inspection six hours before the game.

The frozen pitch was ruled to be unsuitable and the game will now be re-arranged. The postponement not only stopped Gnohere getting an outing but it denied the likes of Dimitri Papadopoulos, Andy Payton and Gordon Armstrong the chance to get some important match action.

Another man who would have played last night is keeper Nik Michopoulos and any prospect of him moving to Scottish premier Division side Hibernian ended yesterday when they signed Swedish goalkeeper Daniel Andersson on a 12-month contract.

The free agent replaces Tony Caig, who moved to Newcastle last week.

Burnley's Greek international was one of a number of players who Hibs boss Bobby Williamson was having a look at but he will be staying with the Clarets and hoping to put pressure on Beresford in the battle to become number one again.