Clarets boss Stan Ternent is backing Gareth Taylor to confirm his credentials as a top First Division striker after finally concluding the signing of the Manchester City front man.

The 28-year-old has agreed a three-year deal at Turf Moor to become Ternent's first capture of the summer.

And after impressing in 15 games on loan at the end of last term, Ternent is looking to the former Crystal Palace, Sheffield United and Maine Road striker to pick up where he left off when Burnley kick-off at Sheffield Wednesday on August 11.

Ternent said: "I've agreed everything with him. When he's finished at Manchester City he will sign a contract from July 1.

"I hope that he will realise his potential with us, which he certainly has but has perhaps never been able to have a sustained run.

"He did well at the end of last season and I've got him, Ian Moore and Andy Payton now.

"He gave us another dimension and I feel it's a good signing."

Taylor twice got into double-figures for the season while at Sheffield United, prompting Manchester City to pay £400,000 for his services in November, 1998.

He found the net four times in the remainder of that season and despite starting just eight league games the season before last, when he also had loan spells at Port Vale and QPR, he still scored five times as City were promoted from Division One.

He was given little opportunity in the Premiership, however, despite scoring freely in the reserves, and having joined Burnley on loan knew that he would become a free agent at the end of this month.

Taylor found the net four times for the Clarets and struck up a decent partnership with record buy Moore and his signing under the Bosman ruling represents a decent bit of business for the Clarets.

Ternent has also secured the services of Gordon Armstrong for a further year and exciting young winger Brad Maylett has signed the new three-year deal offered to him earlier this summer to cement his future at Turf Moor.

However, speculation linking Burnley with a move for Tranmere wide man Andy Parkinson may well be wide of the mark.

And one-time Clarets target John Aloisi is still weighing up his future after knocking back a proposed £1.8 million move to Crystal Palace.

The Coventry City striker, who was priced out of a possible move to Turf Moor last season, wants an instant return to the Premiership and will seek a club accordingly -- if he decides to leave Highfield Road.

"I don't know whether I'm going to stay at Coventry or not.

"Another club have to show that they want to be in the Premier League and unless it is right I will not move," said the 25-year-old former Portsmouth marksman, who scored for Australia in their crucial World Cup win over New Zealand at the weekend.