BUSINESSMAN John Turkington looks to have paid around £200,000 to join Ray Ingleby in investing in the Clarets' rights issue.

Yesterday evening's deadline passed with investors pledging to buy £3.8 million worth of shares.

And although it hasn't been confirmed by the club or Turkington, it would appear that the businessman is ready to plough a six-figure sum into the Clarets.

With chairman Barry Kilby staking £3 million and Ingleby buying in the region of 2,500 shares for a figure now believed to be around £500,000, then it is clear that Turkington has taken up most or all of his full entitlement of 1,000 shares in the two-for-one issue.

That would leave small investors to account for the remaining £100,000 raised. It is a strong possibility that Turkington has sought a seat on the Turf Moor board in return for his anticipated investment.

But that is the next step for Ingleby who will be proposed as a director by Kilby when the board next meets.

"I am looking forward to working with him," said Kilby.

"He's obviously an experienced businessman. He's done very well and I think he has talents. I want talents on this board."

With American-based businessman Ingleby not taking up the full £1.4 million worth of shares he was entitled to, the Clarets couldn't have hoped for a much better return on the rights issue - given that around 3,000 of the original shares are believed to have been lost down the years.

Kilby will now press on to attract buyers for the unclaimed shares to push the total sum raised towards the £5 million mark, which would mean more funds for team strengthening. Director Clive Holt is expected to make a substantial contribution in this way.

"I have had 70 enquiries from non-shareholders asking to buy shares, some small ones some big ones and that doesn't include some people who I have spoken to," added the chairman.

Much of the initial £3.8 million has already been spent on Steve Davis and Micky Mellon as well as addressing the club's existing debts.

Meanwhile, Paul Weller has set his sights on a return to training before the end of the season as he plots a welcome comeback from illness.

The Clarets' midfielder is recovering from one bout of surgery and faces two more operations before overcoming a serious bowel complaint.

But the 23-year-old remains on schedule for a return to competitive action next season and wants to be ready to resume a highly promising career that has been cruelly put on ice.

"Hopefully I will get back training before the end of the season so that I am ready for next season," he confirmed.

And Weller, who agreed a new three-year deal at Turf Moor last autumn, is already in the gym in an effort to get in shape. "I have been on the bikes and done a few weights. My legs have gone to nothing so I am trying to get them back up and trying to get a certain level of fitness to make it easier when I do come back," he added.

Weller saw a specialist last week to monitor his progress and is expected to have a second operation within the next three weeks.

Provided that goes according to plan, his final operation should be around six weeks later.

"We want to get it done as quickly as possible, although the longer you leave it between operations the better it will be so it can't be rushed too much," he said.

Burnley manager Stan Ternent today refused to reveal the outcome of a secret friendly with Premiership side Nottingham Forest at Turf Moor yesterday afternoon.

But the Lancashire Evening Telegraph can reveal that Burnley were narrow 3-2 losers to a Ron Atkinson side packed with stars such as Steve Stone and Pierre van Hooijdonk.

Three half hour sessions were played on a heavy pitch with Glen Little and Gordon Armstrong (penalty) the Clarets scorers.

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