BURNLEY manager Eddie Howe has assured fans that he will have the squad he wants for the start of the new season.

With just three days to go before the players report back for pre-season, Howe is hoping for some movement in the market - certainly in the run-up to the new campaign beginning on August 6.

He has faith in the squad as it stands, but after signing Charlie Austin and Marvin Bartley in January, he is hoping to put more of his stamp on it.

“There is certainly no massive rebuilding job that needs doing,” he said.

“I can assure everyone that we are working hard to get things done, but you can’t rush these things and I am sure we will have the squad in place that we want by kick-off.”

Howe is on the lookout for defensive reinforcements, but Darren O’Dea and Adam Smith are unlikely targets.

Celtic centre half O’Dea and Spurs right back Smith were both linked with the Clarets over the weekend, but I understand they are not top of the club’s summer shopping list.

It’s the second time in less than three years that O’Dea has been mentioned in connection with a move to Turf Moor.

Owen Coyle was said to be tracking the Republic of Ireland defender before bringing in Rhys Williams on loan from Middlesbrough in the January of the promotion season.

Burnley are reported to have made a £400,000 offer to Celtic for the 24-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Ipswich.

But despite having an interest in a number of players, the Clarets have not yet made an official bid for any of their targets.

Smith, meanwhile, has been offered a new contract at White Hart Lane.

However, he is believed to have attracted a number of Championship admirers, including Burnley, Ipswich and Reading. But I understand the Clarets have not made any attempt to sign the 20-year-old at this stage.

With just three days to go before the players report back for pre-season, Howe is hoping for some movement in the market - certainly in the run-up to the new campaign beginning on August 6.

He has faith in the squad as it stands, but after signing Charlie Austin and Marvin Bartley in January, he is hoping to put more of his stamp on it.

“There is certainly no massive rebuilding job that needs doing,” he said.

“I can assure everyone that we are working hard to get things done, but you can’t rush these things and I am sure we will have the squad in place that we want by kick-off.”