Burnley youth boss Martin Dobson says the plans are in place to start producing more of their own talent.

"Last year five lads won professional contracts with the club and we are very pleased with that," he told the Observer. "Especially as three of them had been with us from the age of about nine. I don't think the value of academies can be doubted when you look at the quality and numbers clubs such as Everton, Manchester City and Sheffield United have been bringing through.

"We see that as the way to survive. We have already sold on players of the calibre of Richard Chaplow and Kyle Lafferty, and we are just as proud of Chris McCann and Jay Rodriguez.

"Lafferty and McCann are Irish, and we are lucky to have a manager like Owen Coyle with knowledge and influence in Scotland and Ireland."

Clearly Burnley do not have the budgets of bigger clubs or the glamorous facilities, though what Dobson finds persuasive is the promise of a chance.

"We are looking for hungry kids, and that comes right down from the manager. We can't offer all the glamour of a leading club but what we can say is we'll give you a chance to show you can play."