Clarets boss Stan Ternent made two key signings yesterday - Glen Little and Arthur Gnohere.

The two players, who have been central figures in the club's success this season, have put pen to paper on contract extensions that will keep them at the club until 2004 and 2005 respectively.

"Glen Little has signed a year extension to his contract," said Ternent who has repeatedly promised that he would do everything in his power to keep off interested clubs.

"And Arthur has signed a contract that will keep him here for this year and then another three."

Little's previous deal had 18 months to run and his new contract will disappoint the Premier League clubs who have reportedly been chasing him.

Signed from Glentoran by former manager Adrian Heath, Little has been in great form this season, already scoring seven goals and earning rave reviews from a host of rival managers.

Sunderland, where Heath is on Peter Reid's coaching staff, is just one club that has been linked with a multi million pound move for the 26-year-old. His ability to do the unpredictable has helped to fire the Clarets to the top of the table and the fans love him.

The same can be said for French defender Arthur Gnohere, even though he has only been at the club since the summer.

He turned 23 last month and despite his excellent start to his Clarets career, Ternent has already insisted that he will get even better. He has immediately adapted well to the English game, never more so than in the last few weeks when he has formed an impressive central defensive partnership with Ian Cox in the absence of skipper Steve Davis.

Since they were paired together at the start of November the Clarets have conceded just two goals in six games.

Ternent has admitted that Gnohere is already "a cult figure" for the Burnley fans, setting the ground alight when he surges forward from defence.

There is little doubt that his eye-catching performances will have been noted by clubs in the Premier League and only last weekend Crystal Palace's new manager Trevor Francis was singing his praises for the way he dealt with the dual strike threat of Clinton Morrison and Dougie Freedman.

Gnohere has made no secret of his desire to play top flight football but he recently insisted: "I know that Burnley can get into the Premier Division."

The contract extensions for the two key men underlines the Clarets determination to mount a sustained promotion challenge.

Ternent yesterday repeated his desire to strengthen his squad and he clearly has no intention of losing his prize assets.

Wolverhampton Wanderers will go back to the top of the table tonight if they can beat Grimsby Town and Blundell Park but Burnley will be able to reclaim top spot if they win the Lancashire derby against Preston North End at Deepdale on Sunday.

Gnohere and Little will be vital figures that day and following the new longer term deals are set to play a big part in the immediate future of Ternent's upwardly mobile team.