As you were for no loan Clarets

Last updated : 15 September 2011 By Tony Scholes

Ryan Shotton, again, has been one of the names mentioned as has that of Manchester United's young French midfielder Paul Pogba, presumably because Howe was spotted watching the reserve game between Manchester United and Fulham earlier this week.

In confirming there would be no new signings, Howe said today: "We are happy to go with the squad we've got to Peterborough. I do feel the squad is a strong one. I just feel we are lacking in numbers.

"But with loan players we do find at this stage that it's very difficult to bring in players who will improve our  team. Most of the loan options available to us are young players and we don't necessarily want to add too many more young ones to us, so it's a case of seeing how things develop."

How continued: "We are happy with the age of the squad and the work we've done. In certain areas a little bit more experience would be good, but finding experienced players who have played in the Championship, and who are available, there aren't many around. The time of year is quite difficult now to be looking to bring players in.

Burnley were still very optimistic as recently as the end of last week that they would get Shotton from Stoke but today Howe has given the clearest hint that the deal is now dead. "We've hit the end of the road on a couple of targets so we are having to adjust our sights and finding new targets now is quite difficult," he confirmed.