EDDIE Howe is aiming to add quality AND quantity to his squad during the close season, after falling foul of having one of the smallest squads in the Championship.

The Clarets, who finished 13th used the least number of players in the division last season, with only 14 players making more than 10 league starts – a figure matched by 14th-placed Leeds United.

Nine other players also featured in Eddie Howe’s XI during the course of the campaign, but Danny Fox and Wade Elliott were sold in August, Sam Vokes and Josh McQuoid were on loan, goalkeeper Brian Jensen was picked ahead of Lee Grant only four times, Martin Paterson and Danny Ings were injured for much of the campaign, January signing Daniel Lafferty had to wait until March for his debut and Andre Amougou did not start a Championship game after November 1.

Howe bulked up the squad towards the end of the season by handing debuts from the bench to youth team graduates Cameron Howieson, Steven Hewitt, Shay McCartan and Joe Jackson.

He expects some of them to have their part to play next term too.

But the Burnley boss is looking to the transfer market to strengthen his troops during the summer, although he admits the squad they start the season with is still expected to be relatively small.

“I don’t think we will carry a big squad for two reasons – one, we don’t want to carry a big squad and two, finances will dictate that we don’t,” said Howe.

“I think a squad of 22 players that can all play in the first team, and maybe a couple of youth team players to bring that up to 24 would be the ideal number.

“What you want is competition for places, you want players being pushed in all areas of the pitch, and you need cover.”

Burnley had to rely on winger Ross Wallace filling in at left back for five games last month, after Ben Mee suffered a minor back fracture at Portsmouth and Lafferty was sidelined with a hamstring problem.

There options are also currently limited at right back “We’ve seen it’s a very long season with suspensions and injuries, and at times this year we’ve had to play people out of position, and that’s never ideal,” added Howe.

Meanwhile, chief scout Tim Henderson has left Turf Moor by mutual consent, after two-and-a-half years with the club.

Henderson was brought to Burnley by former manager Brian Laws in January 2010, and was instrumental in the signings of Danny Fox from Celtic and a loan deal for then Chelsea midfielder Jack Cork.

However, the former Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough scout is to leave the Clarets following a re-shuffle of manager Eddie Howe’s backroom team.

“I have enjoyed my time with the club immensely. It is what we call in the industry a ‘proper club’, full of tradition, good people and strong core values,” said Henderson, who was also responsible for opposition analysis during his spell with Burnley.

“Although ending in disappointment, the highlight of my time at the club was our Premier League campaign.

“That will be a stand-out memory for me as every professional wants to pit their wits against the top clubs in the best league.”

He added: “I wish the club well for the future. A respectable finish has been obtained after a season of transition and I am sure a busy summer lies ahead while the manager looks to shape and mould his team for another championship campaign - one I believe can be successful if everyone is patient and gets behind the team.”

Burnley FC chief executive Lee Hoos said: “We thank Tim for his considerable efforts during his time at Turf Moor.

“He made a valued contribution to the coaching and playing staff during his time with us and we wish him well as he pursues his future career.”