Burnley

Burnley
Burnley have released eight players to make room for new signings this summer. Mo Camara, Tony Grant, John Oster, Jean Louis Valois, Matty O'Neill, Lee Roche, Paul Scott and Joel Pilkington will not be offered new deals by the Clarets. Left-back Camara, 29, had been expected to seek a new club after starting more than 100 games for the Clarets, while Grant, 30, ends a near four-year stay. "Football is transitional and players come and go. They have done well for me," manager Steve Cotterill said.

Camara keeping his options open
Left-back Mohammed Camara says Celtic and Ipswich Town are two possible destinations after he decided to turn down a new contract with Burnley. "My agent has told me that Celtic are interested in me," the 29-year-old told The Daily Mail. "They have watched me three or four times, so I am told. "I have possibilities in England. Ipswich is one and they could be in the Premiership, but I want to wait two or three weeks to consider my options." Camara admitted that Celtic had yet to make a formal offer and is hoping one will follow so he can make a final decision. "We have not spoken to Martin O'Neill yet, because I understand they are busy with games in the championship," he said. Meanwhile, Mickael Landreau' agent, Bruno Satin, told The Herald that Celtic have dropped their interest in the Nantes captain as O'Neill has faith in David Marshall being his first-choice goalkeeper next season.

Cherries pair agree Burnley deals
Burnley will sign Bournemouth midfield pair Wade Elliott and Garreth O'Connor on free transfers on 1 July. The pair, both 26, were out of contract and although they were offered improved deals at Dean Court, agreed personal terms over the weekend. Clarets boss Steve Cotterill said: "I am delighted to agree three-year contracts with both Wade and Garreth. "They are two lads I know very well - I hope they both play as well as they did the last time they visited Turf Moor." The pair impressed Cotterill - himself a former Bournemouth player - when the south coast club faced Burnley in the FA Cup fourth round in January. Cotterill continued: "People will remember Wade from his performance against us in the Cup, when he gave Mo Camara probably the toughest game he had all season. "They have come to us within the right wage structure, and the fact they were both available on free transfers was a big bonus. "Both lads have been schooled well by (Cherries boss) Sean O'Driscoll, and we will be looking to hopefully improve them further." Elliott joined the Cherries for £5,000 from non-league Bashley in 2000 and has scored 37 goals in 257 appearances, while Dublin-born O'Connor arrived on a free from Bohemians later the same year, and has netted 28 goals in 204 games. A statement on Bournemouth's website read: "Burnley and Steve Cotterill have behaved very professionally throughout and although disappointed to be losing two very talented players, we wish them well and thank them for their service."

Spin doctor works magic on James
Media spin doctor Alastair Campbell says that Leighton James was the greatest footballer he ever saw. Burnley fan Campbell made the startling claim to BBC Sport while in Cardiff in his role as Lions media consultant. "Leighton was absolutely brilliant, the best I ever saw," said Campbell of the ex-Burnley, Derby, QPR, Swansea, Bury, Sunderland, Newport and Wales winger. "He did things very few people could do. You always felt something would happen when he got the ball." Campbell, a self-confessed Clarets nut from the age of four, continued to wax lyrical about his hero. "My enduring image of him was of the ball reaching him on the wing and the crowd going quiet for a couple of seconds. "Then they would pick up because they knew something was about to happen. "Five times out of 10 it did - and that's a pretty good rate in football! "I got to meet Leighton some years after he finished playing and he was a thoroughly nice bloke. "I introduced him to a friend as 'the best footballer who ever lived'. "But when my friend looked up he just said 'You're not George Best'!"

Burnley complete move for Thomas
Burnley have signed Stoke defender Wayne Thomas on a three-year contract. The 26-year-old former Torquay United player has spent the last five years at the Britannia Stadium, where he made over 200 appearances for Stoke. Burnley boss Steve Cotterill said: "I'm delighted - he is a player I have liked for a long time. "He has good pace, he's strong, has good aerial ability and a good temperament. He could go on to play in the Premiership if he works hard."

Noel-Williams signs Clarets deal
Stoke striker Gifton Noel Williams has joined Burnley on a two-year deal. The 25-year-old is Clarets boss Steve Cotterill's fourth summer signing and follows Ade Akinbiyi and Wayne Thomas in joining the club from the Potters. Noel-Williams, who scored 13 goals for Stoke in 2004/5, rejected their offer of a new deal at the end of last term. He started out at Watford, where he scored 41 goals in 193 appearances, before moving to the Britannia Stadium on a free transfer in June 2003.

Defender Camara signs Celtic deal
Mohammed Camara has become Gordon Strachan's first signing as Celtic boss after agreeing a two-year deal. The former Burnley left-back, a Guinea international, put pen to paper after undergoing a medical on Tuesday. Camara, 29, had a chance to remain in English football with Ipswich, but they fell out of the running after failing to win promotion to the Premiership. Camara could be joined at Celtic Park by striker Maciej Zurawski, who hopes to seal a £2.2m move from Wisla Krakow. Camara, who turns 30 on Saturday, had been lined up by previous Celtic manager Martin O'Neill, who stood down last month to spend more time with seriously ill wife Geraldine.

Burnley look into flying option
Burnley boss Steve Cotterill says his club may look into flying to some of the destinations for their away games because of a tough fixture schedule. Cotterill is particularly worried about Christmas games at Norwich and QPR. "It's a nightmare. Our journeys this season will be astronomical and we will be looking at a couple of flights. "I'm not saying we will go down to places and win if we fly but it gives the players the chance to perform better," he told the club's website.

Karbassiyoon seals Burnley move
Burnley boss Steve Cotterill has made former Arsenal full-back Danny Karbassiyoon his fifth summer signing. The 20-year-old American-born defender has agreed a two-year deal at Turf Moor after being released by the Gunners at the end of last season. Karbassiyoon played three League Cup games for Arsenal last season. "I'm really excited to be at Burnley. There was interest from other clubs but I weighed all my options up and wanted to come here," he said. "In order to advance my career I have to get out and start playing football and that's what I hope to do here." Karbassiyoon, who was on loan at Ipswich last term, is likely to challenge for the left-back role vacated by Mo Camara's move to Celtic.

Cumbrians give chance to Weller
Carlisle boss Paul Simpson has offered former Burnley midfielder Paul Weller the chance to revive his career. Weller, 30, has joined the Cumbrians for pre-season training with a view to earning a deal if he impresses. Simpson told his club's website: "Even though he's been out of the game for a while it doesn't mean the ability has gone. He's an excellent midfielder." Weller had a spell at Rochdale last term after a 10-year stay at Burnley where he started 199 league games.

Cotterill makes scouting mission
Burnley manager Steve Cotterill is flying to Los Angeles on Saturday as he continues his search for new players. "I'll be watching two games while I'm out there - Mexico against Guatemala and then Jamaica against South Africa," Cotterill told the club's website. "There are a couple of players that I have been tipped off to look at. "It is no more than a looking trip at this stage, for after all the free transfers on these shores have been fully explored."

Burnley sign Bermingham on loan
Burnley have signed young Manchester City striker Karl Bermingham on a month's loan. The Dublin-born 19-year-old is yet to make a competitive senior appearance for City, but played a starring role for their reserves last season. Now City boss Stuart Pearce is keen to give Bermingham first-team experience. He ended last season on loan with League Two side Lincoln City, spending three months at Sincil Bank and making two substitute appearances.

Burnley 2-1 Carlisle
Ade Akinbiyi scored an injury-time goal to spare the blushes of Championship Burnley in the Carling Cup first-round tie with League Two Carlisle. The hosts were in front on 52 minutes as Michael Duff's deflected shot found its way into the net. But with 16 minutes left Carlisle levelled as Peter Murphy's free-kick was parried by goalkeeper Danny Coyne and Adam Murray headed home to level. But in added time, Akinbiyi latched on to Kyle Lafferty's pass for the winner. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley: Coyne, Duff (Lafferty 75), McGreal, Thomas, Branch, Garreth O'Connor, Hyde, James O'Connor, McCann, Noel-Williams, Akinbiyi. Subs Not Used: Crossley, Pugh, Reilly, Yates. Goals: Duff 52, Akinbiyi 90. Carlisle: Westwood, Andrews, Livesey, Grand, Aranalde, Hackney (McGill 69), Glenn Murray (Hawley 69), McClen, Murphy, Nade, Adam Murray. Subs Not Used: Williams, Billy, Holmes. Goals: Adam Murray 74. Att: 5,114 Ref: S Mathieson (Cheshire).

Clarets suffer Thomas injury blow
Burnley defender Wayne Thomas is out for the rest of the season after seriously injuring his knee at Reading. Scans showed Thomas, 26, snapped his anterior and medial cruciate ligaments and nicked the cartligage in his knee. Clarets boss Steve Cotterill said: "It's heart-breaking news for us, especially as he was just starting to come into his own. "We have to move on, but we'll keep him involved and make sure that with hard work, he makes a full recovery."

Preston 0-0 Burnley
Preston have yet to win at home this season after holding on for a draw against rivals Burnley. John Spicer shot over for Burnley when a pass to striker Ade Akinbiyi seemed the better option. David Jones then scuffed an effort for Preston, Danny Coyne saved from Chris Lucketti and David Nugent had a shot deflected wide. Carlo Nash saved from James O'Connor, while Jon Harley missed a great chance for Burnley from six yards out. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preston manager Billy Davies: "In the end it was a typical local derby with lots of blood and thunder but the quality not really at the highest. "I told the players not to get too down - it's still a clean sheet, it's still a point and we're four without a loss. "We're sitting with more points than at this stage last season, so we're making progress." Burnley manager Steve Cotterill: "We had the best chance of the game with Jon Harley. "I think if we'd taken all three, that would have been deserved but we'll take our point home and be proud of our performance. "We haven't played badly all season and we've talked about individual errors. "We needed a clean sheet and to come to Preston and get a clean sheet, that's a big achievement." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preston: Nash, Alexander, Lucketti, Davis, Davidson, Sedgwick (Mears 66), Etuhu, McKenna (Agyemang 75), Jones, Nugent, Dichio. Subs Not Used: Lonergan, Mawene, Nowland. Booked: McKenna, Mears. Burnley: Coyne, Duff, Lowe, McGreal, Harley, Elliott (Branch 64), Hyde, Spicer, James O'Connor, Noel-Williams, Akinbiyi. Subs Not Used: Jensen, Bermingham, McCann, Courtney. Booked: Hyde, Harley. Att: 17,139 Ref: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).

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