EDDIE Howe admitted there is nothing left in the transfer kitty for Burnley to make any more permanent signings, but also insisted: “We cannot afford to sell.”

The Clarets boss has spent money this month by making loan moves for Kieran Trippier and Ben Mee full time, signing the defensive duo on three-and-a-half year deals from Manchester City.

Injuries to Martin Paterson and Junior Stanislas, and the end of Sam Vokes’ loan spell, prompted Howe back into the loan market to sign Josh McQuoid from Millwall, for 93 days, ahead of Saturday’s goalless draw at home to Derby County.

The Turf Moor chief has not ruled out further loan additions between now and the 11pm deadline on January 31, or emergency loans beyond that.

But Howe is more concerned with going into February with the rest of his squad intact.

Burnley had to fend off strong interest in strikers Jay Rodriguez and Paterson from Championship rivals Southampton and Portsmouth respectively in the summer.

Since the window re-opened on New Year’s Day, the club has not received any official approaches for players.

And Howe hopes it stays that way.

“I just want the window to shut really, personally,” he said.

“The earlier it does for me, the better.

“I think we’re done for permanent signings. I don’t think there is anything left for us to work with.

“There may be a loan depending on injuries and if we need certain positions we might look to do it but for permanent signings that will be it.

“The main thing is not losing anyone. We cannot afford to sell. We need to keep our squad together.”

Burnley dropped two places in the table following Saturday’s goalless draw with Derby, but in terms of points they did not lose any ground on the top six, with three points still the difference.

Howe, though, was disappointed not to make more of their home advantage on a blustery afternoon at Turf Moor.

“It wasn’t a great spectacle. I think everyone could see the weather had a huge bearing on the game and how it was played,” he said.

“We felt we created enough chances to have shaded it and taken the game and three points. But the keeper made a couple of good saves and we missed a couple of good chances.”

The Clarets boss, however, was pleased with another clean sheet – their fifth in six league games – as they recorded their first goalless draw since Howe took charge a year ago.

“If you keep cleans sheets you don’t get beaten, so that’s a good step,” he said. “We still looked like we were going to score goals. It was just a frustrating one, I think if we’d have got one we’d have been okay.”

Howe gave a debut to new loan signing McQuoid after a back problem forced Ross Wallace off at half time.

“I think Josh got better as the half went on,” he said.

“He hasn’t played a lot of football for a period of time.

“He’ll only get better the longer he’s with us.”