BURNLEY manager Steve Cotterill has made defender Clarke Carlisle his sixth signing before the transfer window closes in 15 days' time.

On the day that Wayne Thomas completed a three-year deal at Southampton for £1.2million, Cotterill moved swiftly to capture Carlisle from Watford for £200,000.

The former Blackpool centre-half penned a three-year contract after passing a medical yesterday afternoon, making him eligible for tomorrow's game at Championship newcomers Scunthorpe United.

"I'm delighted to have Clarke on board. He's 27 years of age so we've kept the ages down, which I'm delighted about," said Cotterill.

"We've got a good, experienced player at this level and I'm looking forward to him being in training (today) with the boys and being involved on Saturday.

"I think he's a good leader. I think he's a charming young man, educated, speaks well, but more importantly he's athletic, 6ft 3ins, strong, which is ideal too.

"I think he'll be a decent acquisition, and for the whole deal, how it's all been done, we think we've done okay."

With Thomas signed on a free transfer two summers ago, the £1million profit from the latest transfer dealings will be made available to boss Cotterill, who is maintaining his bid to strengthen the squad before the cut-off point at the end of the month.

The Clarets have been linked with Leeds United midfielder Jonathon Douglas, but although any move is merely speculation at the moment, Cotterill may have to play a waiting game before landing any more targets.

"In 15 days I can look at it and say time is on my side, but at the moment time isn't on my side because we want something sorted as soon as possible," he said.

"But it isn't as if we haven't got good players in those positions at the moment that we might be looking to strengthen even more."