This week there was speculation in Hertfordshire that the Clarets had targeted Watford's former Blackpool defender Clarke Carlisle, but it has proved to be nothing but speculation.

The 27-year-old from Preston started his career at Bloomfield Road before a quarter of a million pound move took him to London and the bright lights when he signed for Queens Park Rangers. He was there for four years during which he sampled the highs and lows, playing for the England Under-21 team before taking time out because of alcohol related problems.

His next move was to Leeds before the start of the 2004/05 season and he ended that season but a year later he was on his way to Watford. A thigh injury cost him his place in the Watford side and he spent some of last season on loan with their local rivals Luton, his last game for the Hatters being their 0-0 draw at Burnley.

Whether he leaves Watford or not his next Championship game won't be with the Clarets. The suggestions were that we were already in talks with him with a view to paying a fee of £300,000, but Steve Cotterill has dismissed the speculation out of hand.

Maybe it was Barnsley, after all the speculators won't have been the first to have problems distinguishing between the two clubs.