TURF Moor contract talks with star goalkeeper Marlon Beresford are deadlocked.

Manager Adrian Heath has conducted fresh discussions with the out-of-contract goalkeeper but he reports no progress.

Heath revealed: "We've gone as far as we can go money-wise with the offer to Marlon.

"We've made him what I consider to be a very generous and fair offer.

"From our point of view the ball is very much in Marlon's court now.

"We'd love him to stay.

"It's up to Marlon.

"We're hoping he'll sign the contract and pledge his future to us. But, ultimately, the decision is down to him.

"If he wants to remain on a week-to-week contract, then there's not an awful lot we can do about the situation."

The development will be a disappointment to the manager who, understandably, wants to protect one of his major squad assets by persuading the 27-year-old to pledge his future to Turf Moor. Now it seems Burnley have made their final offer and Beresford will remain on a week-to-week deal unless he has a change of heart - or decides to move on.

Meanwhile, away from the contract talks, Heath has injury doubts over midfielder Damian Matthew and utility man Gerry Harrison. Matthew has missed the last two fixtures while Harrison limped out of the action at Chesterfield with a "dead leg ".

Both players have responded to treatment though and could force their way into Heath's squad plans for Saturday's tester against Joe Jordan's Bristol City at Turf Moor.

But there was another injury blow for the manager last night when Peter Swan damaged a hamstring in the reserve game at Carlisle. Italian trialists Andrei Capecchi and Roberto Vezzosi were both given the chance to show what they could do in a competitive match at Brunton Park, where Burnley went down 1-0.

Heath has yet to make a decision on whether to extend their trial at Turf Moor but he admitted that the players would probably want an answer sooner rather than later.

Defender Chris Vinnicombe has returned to full training and could step up his recovery in a Lancashire League fixture this weekend.

Director Clive Holt will be the guest speaker tonight at the Clarets Independent Supporters Association meeting at the Centre Spot (8pm). Fans who are not members and want to attend the meeting can join at the door.

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