ADRIAN Heath (pictured) was on the trail of £125,000 target Jimmy Willis from First Division Leicester City today.

The 27-year-old ex-Blackburn Rovers centre-half had been expected to link up with the Clarets squad at Gawthorpe following the usual medical checks.

But a last minute hitch means that Willis is unlikely to sign for the Clarets before Monday.

The tough-tackling defender still has to finalise personal terms. It was hoped that Willis would make his Clarets debut in tomorrow's Division Two test at Oxford United but the transfer talks proceeded longer than expected.

The signing would be the first piece in Heath's re-building plans and he could be ready to strike for a SECOND transfer target in the next 48 hours.

I understand Heath has conducted talks with First Division Portsmouth about a possible loan deal.

The Turf Moor player-manager said: "Jimmy Willis is a first-rate defender.

"He would bring extra strength and depth to our defence. He is a communicator and a born leader. Jimmy is a big, hungry defender who has enjoyed experience with Leicester in the Premiership.

"I received glowing reports about him from both Mark McGhee and Brian Little. I am convinced that he would offer a tremendous amount to Burnley."

Heath swooped for Willis as Leicester manager Martin O'Neill continued his clear-out at Filbert Street. O'Neill also agreed to let winger Lee Philpott move to Blackpool for £75,000. While striker David Lowe is thinking over a £125,000 move to Wigan Athletic.

Liverpool-born Willis began his career at Ewood Park as a trainee before spells with Halifax Town and Stockport County.

He joined Darlington in 1988 before helping the Feethams club back into the Football League when they clinched the Vauxhall Conference title in 1990.

Willis' form with Darlington earned him a £100,000 move to Leicester City a year later. He was voted man-of-the-match at the First Division Wembley play-off final in 1994 when Leicester clinched a place in the Premiership with victory over East Midlands rivals Derby County.

A former team-mate of Clarets midfielder Steve Thompson at Filbert Street, Willis played in Leicester's 4-0 Pontin's League victory at Turf Moor on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Burnley face another demanding test at Oxford United tomorrow against the Division Two form team.

Oxford have won nine out of the last 10 league games - a spectacular sequence of results which began with a 2-0 win at Turf Moor on January 30.

Heath added: "It is going to be a very difficult game tomorrow and we are playing an Oxford side who are enjoying a real purple patch.

"The fact that we held Swindon to a 0-0 draw and Oxford beat them 3-0 in midweek just underlines the sort of task we face.

"But I'm more concerned about ourselves. I honestly believe that if we play to our potential and maximum, and don't make silly mistakes, we can match any team in this division.

"I'm looking for a reaction from one or two of my players on the back of the disappointing result at Crewe."

The Manor Ground clash will see Heath come face to face with Oxford manager Denis Smith, who Heath played with at Stoke City in the late 1970s.

Heath added: "Denis Smith was probably the most inspirational figure at Stoke when I was there as a youngster.

"I've been a Stoke supporter since I was four and to actually play alongside a player who was legendary with the Stoke-on-Trent public was a big thrill for me.

"Denis is a person I've always kept in touch with in the game, especially during his spells at York and Sunderland. The game is another big test for us. I want us to bounce back from the Crewe setback."

Burnley choose from: Beresford, Parkinson, Vinnicombe, Harrison, Winstanley, Thompson, Weller, Joyce, Cooke, Nogan, Eyres, Smith, Adams, Harper, Russell (GK).

Oxford from: Whitehead, Robinson, Ford, Smith, Elliott, Gilchrist, Rush, Lewis, Aldridge, Beauchamp, Angel, Murphy, Moody, Marsh.

Burnley's A team entertain old rivals Blackburn Rovers at Gawthorpe tomorrow (11am).

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