Clough gives update on Boyce's future

Nigel Clough says that Burton Albion have now rejected two bids for star striker Liam Boyce.

The Northern Ireland international is a target for Sunderland this month as Phil Parkinson moves to reshuffle his attacking options.

Parkinson confirmed that Boyce was a player on his shortlist early in the window, but has since moved to bring in Kyle Lafferty.

With Lafferty getting up to match fitness and making an encouraging debut against MK Dons last weekend, he has numerous attacking options.

He is likely to still pursue another addition, however, and Boyce is a player who has scored goals on a regular basis in League One, and has some Championship experience.

He offers versatility, having operated off the left when the Brewers beat the Black Cats this season.

With just six months left on his contract, Sunderland had believed there might be a bargain deal to be done. Clough had previously admitted that if his club are unable to agree terms on a new deal, they will consider selling.

However, there has been little progress on the deal.

This morning, Clough said: “There is still interest in Liam Boyce and we have had two bids which have been rejected.”

The club in question has not been named, but Hearts have also been credited with an interest.

Though Daniel Stendel has added Kosovan forward Donis Avdijaj to his squad, he is still searching for more recruits.

“I won’t say we need three or four players, we just need players that can help us,” he told the Edinburgh Evening News. “We need the right player - we can (afford to) pay for him and he wants to come. Then we would like that he signs for us. It’s not about numbers in that we need four or five players, but I hope we can sign one or two more.”

Parkinson has a number of targets should he move again to strengthen his frontline.

He has an active interest in Bristol City loanee Antoine Semenyo, but must wait to see if the Robins can strengthen their attacking options.

Yhey were dealt a major blow earlier in the window when Arsenal opted to keep Eddie Nketiah, rather than loaning him out again.