DEAN West and Mitchell Thomas today threw their weight behind Burnley's quest for a promotion challenge next season when they became manager Stan Ternent's first summer signings.

And they will be joined in the Clarets new-look squad by Paul Cook, Tom Cowan and Mark Robertson as Ternent completed a nap-hand of deals on a hectic return to work.

The Clarets boss was locked in talks all day yesterday and those negotiations bore significant fruit with all five players agreeing terms, without Ternent having to splash out on transfer fees.

Defenders West and Thomas were recruited under the Bosman ruling from Bury and Luton Town respectively, while Cowan, who finished last season with Burnley after they took on his registration from Huddersfield Town, was a free agent once his contract expired yesterday.

Ternent also managed to snatch Cook - who also helped secure the Clarets safety last season during his successful 12-match loan spell - on a free transfer from Stockport County and Robertson has agreed to stay on at the club after agreeing a new deal.

"I am pleased to get them sorted out," confirmed Ternent.

"When Tom Cowan and Paul Cook came in they did very well and I always had it in my mind to get them sorted out.

"Dean West is a good player. Mitchell Thomas is very experienced, a very fit lad who will give me cover across the back and give the kids like Matty Heywood, John Williamson and one or two others a bit more time. I need a fairly strong squad and I am pleased to get him." Ternent added: "Robbo has been thinking it over but he's decided to come back and I'm pleased about that.

"I class him as one of our young players and it's a step in the right direction for us."

West has long been expected to follow Ternent from Bury and the 26-year-old right-back will be the ideal replacement for Ally Pickering.

And while 34-year-old Thomas didn't look an obvious target, his pedigree in almost 500 League games with Spurs and Luton Town means he should also be a valuable addition to the squad.

He will provide cover in the centre of the defence as well as for left-back Cowan, but will have no coaching role.

The quintet will now report for the start of pre-season training next Monday and while Ternent is likely to continue to scour the transfer market, he has ensured that the Clarets will start their preparations in good shape.

"It was important to get it settled (before Monday). I'm not badly off now and I'm reasonably happy at the moment," he added.

In addition, Ronnie Jepson and Peter Swan have agreed new terms and they are joined by a clutch of the Clarets promising young players.

Craig Mawson, Chris Scott, Matty Heywood, Michael Devenney, Alex Kevan, Eamonn Kelly and John Williamson have all signed new deals. And Burnley have confirmed the arrival of two youngsters as scholars - the new youth trainee system - at Turf Moor. Earl Davis and Andrew Waine, who both played for the club's under-18s last season, will join Burnley on a full-time basis from next week.

Andy Cooke will also be part of the Burnley build-up as contrary to reports there have been no offers coming in for the highly-rated striker.

Inevitably every player has their price if a suitable replacement can be found but Ternent stressed: "Things like that can only have an unsettling affect. I have no intention of selling Cookie."

Meanwhile, Ternent is trying to fix up a replacement pre-season game for Saturday, July 17 following Manchester City's decision not to play at Turf Moor after the two clubs were drawn together in the Worthington Cup. And prices have been fixed for Burnley's pre-season game at Carlisle United on Saturday, July 31 with adults being charged £8 and children £3 in the East Stand.

Bury manager Neil Warnock has signed centre-half Sam Collins and striker Ian Lawson from previous club Huddersfield Town, as well as recruiting former Terrier Paul Reid from Oldham Athletic.

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