BRIAN Laws believes new signing Leon Cort can help power the Clarets to Premier League safety.

Laws has invested £1.5million in the Stoke City defender, who has agreed a three-and-a-half year deal at Turf Moor.

And to complete a double deal day, Laws has also signed former Manchester City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver on a short-term deal until the end of the season as he gets busy before the transfer window slams shut on Monday evening.

And the Burnley boss is convinced the 30-year-old has the qualities Burnley need to get their campaign back on track.

“He will be a real benefit to us with his leadership and strength,” said Laws.

“His ability is there for all to see. He is good in the air in both boxes and he is one of those old fashioned centre-halves who defends and defends well.

“I think you need that kind of assurance, but not only that he has Premier League experience of playing with Stoke City so he knows what’s at stake and what is needed.

“He has signed a three-and-a-half year deal and we will his his best years, for sure.

“He is coming into his natural peak in terms of experience and I am sure that will be evident for all to see.”

The towering defender scored eight times to help Stoke reach the top-flight and played a handful of games last season as the Potters defied the critics to finish mid-table.

But after being overlooked by Tony Pulis this term he jumped at the chance of a fresh challenge with the Clarets.

“When I found out Burnley were interested I tried to get the move done as quickly as possible so I’m delighted,” Cort told the Clarets’ website.

Burnley haven’t kept a clean sheet since their last Premier League win at the end of October.

New boss Laws has been working hard to rectify that and Cort, who is likely to make his debut against Chelsea on Saturday, has the credentials to help foster the mean streak needed to drag Burnley clear of relegation danger.

Weaver, meanwhile, is aiming to keep Burnley up after moving to Turf Moor until the end of the season - and is already looking for a long-term deal.

The 30-year-old will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s home game with Chelsea as long as his international clearance comes through after spending time with Dundee United.

And Weaver, who also played for Charlton and under Laws at Wednesday, is ready to fight current number one Brian Jensen for a starting spot.

“Brian Jensen has been playing this season and done really well so it’s up to me to try and prove to the manager what I can do and if I do get a chance it’s up to me to take it,” said Weaver, who also worked with Clarets’ goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer at Hillsborough.

“I would like to think I’ve still got many years left in the game.

"Obviously I came on the scene quite young at City and so people probably remember me from being a teenager but I feel good and I feel fit and I’m raring to go.”

Weaver’s once blossoming career stumbled because of a series of serious injuries but he added: “I have been back to full fitness from injuries for a few years so touch wood all the injury problems are behind me.

“I played 18 games up in Scotland until January. I have been doing a bit of training on my own for the last couple of weeks and I’m delighted to be here and can’t wait to get started.”

Weaver is sure the Clarets can maintain their Premier League status - and is delighted to be back in the elite.

“The chance to come back into the Premier League was something I couldn’t turn down and hopefully it’s longer than just for a few months,” Weaver added.

“There are 16 games left and a lot of points to play for and all the players will pull in the right direction to keep the club in the Premiership.”