AMBITIOUS Burnley are ready to spend as the count-down to the big kick-off begins in ernest this week.

But with the Clarets due back for the start of pre-season training tomorrow, chairman Barry Kilby insists that boss Stan Ternent won't splash the cash for the sake of it.

Ternent evidently has funds at his disposal having lodged an ultimately unsuccessful bid in the region of £1.25 million for QPR striker Peter Crouch.

But while that cash remains in Ternent's kitty, it will clearly only be spent on players who improve the squad and fit the bill in terms of value for money.

Kilby insisted: "We've got that money and we will do it wisely. The worst thing we could do is just to try and buy somebody on the rebound. We've got to be right on how the money is spent."

Last November, Ternent broke the club's transfer record to buy Ian Moore from Stockport County for £1 million.

The capture of Crouch would have pushed that barrier up further but with both players being young strikers, their value is likely to increase and make them worth significant sums of money towards the end of their contracts.

And it's that type of player that is likely to attract the big-money bids from Turf Moor.

"If we are spending that money we would look to do it with an appreciating asset, though we will treat each case on its merits," Kilby added.

Burnley have so far added only Gareth Taylor to their squad but with their opening First Division game at Sheffield Wednesday still just over a month away, there's still plenty of time for new faces to be brought in.

"We have several strategies and Stan has his targets. We intend to strengthen the team, although it's got to be right for Burnley," said Kilby.