ADRIAN Heath and Steve Coppell are the two names who are expected to dominate the Turf Moor short-list.

But sources in Grimsby say their player-boss Brian Laws has ruled himself out of the race for the Burnley job.

The board of directors met on Friday to thrash out the candidates they are expected to interview.

A list of "between six and 10 names" appears to have been finalised and preliminary interviews will take place over the next 48 hours.

But it remained unclear today if an appointment will be made this week.

Director Clive Holt confirmed: "We are after the best man for the job and a lot of factors have to be considered.

"We'll take whatever time we feel is necessary to come to the right decision. We have an incredibly important decision to make and we will not be rushed into things. You can do things in haste and regret them at your leisure."

But caretaker boss Clive Middlemass warned: "I don't care who comes in. It's going to be a re-building job.

"They are not going to turn this club around overnight. There is a lot of work to be done but I'd love it."

Middlemass, who is still in the frame to land Jimmy Mullen's post, watched Lancashire rivals Blackpool snatch the points with a second half winner from Andy Preece at Turf Moor on Saturday.

But the Clarets caretaker boss said: "Blackpool did not deserve to win. I did not think Blackpool hurt us at all in the first half.

"Possession wise we probably had more of the play than Blackpool.

"Over the 90 minutes there was very little between the two sides.

"My players set good standards in the first half. They all worked hard for each other and covered each others mistakes.

"We had a couple of chances from which we should have done more.

"David Eyres was unlucky with a header and Kurt Nogan carved out a very good opportunity."

But Middlemass was unhappy with the goal the Clarets conceded to hand Blackpool the points.

"It just fell apart after the Blackpool goal," added Middlemass. "The goal, from our point of view, was a poor one to concede.

"It was a disappointing second half and our confidence dipped after Blackpool had scored."

"The lad (Bonner) ran from the half-way line to put his cross in for the goal.. The shot had a job to reach the back of the net - it just bobbled in."

Blackpool have laughed off Sunday newspaper speculation that Seasiders boss Sam Allardyce was in line to take over at Turf Moor.

Bloomfield Road Managing Director Gill Bridge said: "The link came as a complete surprise to us. It is nothing but speculation and as far as we are concerned Sam Allardyce is more than happy at Blackpool."

Blackpool goalscorer Andy Preece said a big thank-you to Sam Allardyce today. The dreadlocked striker, who only passed a fitness test three hours before the Turf Moor clash, revealed he had to borrow Allardyce's boots after leaving his shooting boots on the Fylde.

The Burnley B team defeated Marine Youth 3-0 at Gawthorpe with goals from Colin Carr-Lawton, James Webster and Brendan Bonham.

Adrian Heath remained the bookies' favourite to land the Turf Moor job today. Heath is quoted at 5/4, Martin Dobson 4/1, Trevor Steven 6/1, Graham Barrow 7/1, Steve Coppell, Sammy McIlroy 8/1, Mike Phelan 10/1, Danny Bergara 12/1, Mike Walker 14/1. Odds supplied by Bradlow Racing.

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