As Burnley step up their search for a replacement to sacked boss Brian Laws, tribalfootball.com understands that former boss of bitter local rivals Blackburn Rovers, Sam Allardyce, has already been interviewed for the vacancy. Big Sam had previously stated a preference for managing abroad and that a drop down to the Championship, if a Premier League job was not forthcoming, was not an option.

Any such move would be a shock bearing in Allardyce's previous comments and the level of ill feeling between the two sets of supporters.

Of course considering the manner of his sacking by Rovers new owners Venky's, Allardyce may feel a move just ten miles down the M65 would be sufficient to irritate his former employers.

Burnley chairman Barry Kilby is heading the search for the new man, and has said.

"We will be interviewing the people we want to see and hopefully moving things forward to get the next manager.

"Our shortlist is around half-a-dozen people of different sorts and different reputations and I am looking forward now to trying to get the best one for us.

"There is a two-week window either side of the FA Cup tie and I don't want to belittle that because it is important we get through and keep our season alive in that sphere.

"But with two weeks and no league game with points at stake, it gives us time to get up and down the country, see the candidates we want to and get the best person for Burnley Football Club."