BURNLEY fear they face fierce competition from Bolton Wanderers for Chris McCann’s signature.

The Clarets have tabled a new deal to the out-of-contract midfielder, who has battled back from two injury-ravaged seasons.

But former Burnley boss Owen Coyle is understood to be plotting a reunion with the man he labelled “the photo-fit of a modern midfielder” during his two years at Turf Moor, and is thought to be aiming to tempt the 23-year-old to the Reebok Stadium on a lucrative three-year deal.

The Clarets are said to be ready to pull out all the stops to keep McCann. But if Bolton are successful in their bid, the case could go to tribunal.

A condition of the Bosman Ruling means they would be entitled to compensation because a player under the age of 24 is not permitted to leave for nothing, but any action could only be taken if Burnley have offered McCann improved terms.

Burnley reached a £350,000 settlement with Newcastle United for defender David Edgar two years ago, then had to pay Manchester United £500,000 following a tribunal for right-back Richard Eckersley - a player who had not made a senior start for the Reds and has since only featured four times for the Clarets.

McCann would be expected to command well in excess of those figures.

But although Bolton are not currently blessed with a big transfer budget, Coyle is unlikely to give up without a fight, especially as they could cash in on defender Gary Cahill this summer.

He has already been on the lookout for ball-playing central midfielder, with Swansea’s Darren Pratley on his radar.

But McCann has impressed during his return from a series of serious knee injuries, which kept him out of action for the best part of two full seasons, and capped his comeback game with a goal Burnley’s 4-2 win at Derby County last month.

He is understood to have been honoured to be given the captain’s armband in the Clarets’ final game of the season last Saturday, and could vote with his heart after coming through the club’s youth team ranks.

But former St Johnstone boss Coyle has been a big fan of McCann since moving south of the border in November 2007 and could instigate a tug of war.

“I think the world of him, both as a player and a lad,” said Coyle of McCann during his spell as Burnley boss.

“If I was a manager at any other football club, you would look at Chris McCann - and I’m talking about the top level - because he has undoubted quality.”