ADRIAN Heath could release up to NINE Turf Moor professionals as he prepares to clear the decks at Turf Moor.

The Clarets manager was putting the final touches to his retained list today after Burnley's faint play-off hopes expired at Notts County.

And Heath is expected to announce his plans next week after discussions with the Turf Moor board of directors.

But I can exclusively reveal tonight that Heath is planning a major clear-out with as many as nine professionals with first team experience being allowed to leave Turf Moor.

Heath, understandably, would not comment on his plans until talks with the board of directors and the players involved, but he is hoping the powers that be will give the green light for the biggest Turf Moor staff turnover in several years. The manager said: "I've made no secret of the fact that I want to bring some new blood in.

"Therefore it is logical that we need to move people out to create the necessary space to bring people in.

"I've a very firm idea of the people I want to keep and the staff I want to release. The decisions will be made very soon."

Heath added: "I recognise that I have to work within certain financial guidelines but firm decisions have to be made."

Meanwhile, Heath has denied that Birmingham City are ready to strike for Clarets goalkeeper Marlon Beresford.

I understand that Trevor Francis had made Beresford his number one choice over the summer with St Andrews 'keeper Ian Bennett holding out on a new deal.

But Bennett put pen to paper on a new contract at the weekend and that has cooled Birmingham's interest.

Heath added: "We had no official approach from Birmingham but I understand that was the case."

Ex-Clarets favourite Adrian Randall was celebrating a return to First Division football with Bury after the Shakers clinched automatic promotion for the second season running at the weekend. Randall played in Bury's 0-0 draw at Watford.

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