EDDIE Howe is mulling over new plans for his summer transfer budget after stressing that Burnley did everything they could in their failed bid to sign Jack Cork.

Cork opted to sign for Southampton after Burnley were unable to agree a fee with Chelsea for their former loan star.

The Clarets yesterday confirmed that they made a ‘seven-figure bid’ for the 22-year-old but the Blues wanted further add-ons to the deal.

The midfielder’s move to the south coast – after a successful 18 months on loan at Turf Moor – has been a source of disappointment for both fans and Howe, left, but the manager says he remains determined to add to his squad before the opening game of the season at home to Watford on August 6.

The Clarets boss, in FROM BACK PAGE consultation with operational director Brendan Flood and the board, will now reassess how to spend his budget as he plans for life after Cork.

Chris McCann recently penned a new two-year deal with the club and Burnley could now turn their attention away from the midfield.

“We will have to assess things now,” Howe said. “Jack’s name was obviously at the top of our list.

“But we are quite strong in that area with Chris McCann, Dean Marney, Marvin Bartley and Wade Elliott so whether we strengthen in that area, we will see.

“A lot will depend now on the money we have to play with and what our priorities are to strengthen.

“We know who we want and we will do our best to get them, but as with Jack there is no guarantee that you can get every deal done.

“Hopefully we will be able to do a some deals before the start of the season.”

Burnley go into this afternoon’s first pre-season friendly at Altrincham without any new signings on board so far but Howe says the club could not have done any more in their attempt to sign Cork.

“We are disappointed but we gave it our very best effort,” he said.

“I want to stress that we did everything we could. Knowing Brendan like I do I know he went as far as he possibly could.

“Everyone – the board, the staff and the supporters – rate Jack very highly. I know he was very popular with the supporters, as he was with the players.

“Jack is an outstanding player but we’ve got to make sure the club still exists. We have to think about the future of the football club.

“We have to be careful about overspending on one player. But Jack goes with our best wishes.”