Burnley caretaker manager Terry Pashley not thought about taking over

Chris McCann: Backing for caretaker Terry Pashley

Burnley caretaker manager Terry Pashley says that the thought of taking the Turf Moor reins on a permanent basis has not crossed his mind.

Long-serving youth coach Pashley has assumed control of the Clarets squad in the wake of Owen Coyle's and Brian Laws' departures in recent seasons.

Eddie Howe's shock decision to return to Bournemouth due to family issues has seen the 55-year-old return to temporary stewardship of the first-team though Portsmouth boss Michael Appleton and former Wolves chief Mick McCarthy head a host of names linked with the post.

Pashley said: "I'm sure the board of directors will do the correct thing and get the right person for Burnley Football Club because, ultimately, that's the most important thing."

On the prospect of succeeding Howe, he added: "I have never really considered it. I've been asked to do this for the foreseeable future.

"From the board it was just 'it's unlikely someone will be there on Saturday', and that was said to the players and myself. Obviously we'll take it from there."

Midfielder Chris McCann, who was Burnley captain until Howe handed the armband to summer signing Jason Shackell, also preferred to look to the future.

"What's happened has happened and you can't really keep going on about it - you've got look forward," he said. "You know what you're going to get from Pash. He is always really, really fired up.

"He works as hard as anybody here and we're looking forward every morning to training."