BURNLEY have been told Grant Hanley is not for sale, after rivals Blackburn Rovers shunned an enquiry by the Clarets for the defender.

Manager Sean Dyche has been looking to strengthen at centre half following the summer sale of captain Jason Shackell back to Derby County.

Reports yesterday suggested two Burnley bids had been rejected by Rovers for the Ewood Park skipper.

However, the Lancashire Telegraph understands that it went no further than an enquiry, and the Clarets were told that Rovers were not interested in selling.

When asked about the link ahead of tomorrow’s opening day game at Leeds United (kick-off 12.30pm), boss Dyche gave his stock response to player speculation, saying: “I don’t speak about other people’s players.”

Asked if it was possible to overcome the political nature of the two clubs doing business, he said: “I don’t speak about other people’s players, or clubs.

“It’s just rule of thumb. I’ll speak about my own players no problem, but I don’t speak about others unless they’re actually in my building.”

The last player to transfer directly between the two clubs was Peter Devine in 1984. There have been subsequent loan moves for Andy Todd and Jay McEveley in 2003/04.

But while Burnley remain in the market for a centre half going into the new season, it does not look like Hanley will be moving east along the M65.

Tomorrow’s trip to Elland Road will be the first time that Dyche names a Burnley league line-up without Shackell.

But the manager maintains he still has good competition in that department with the current numbers.

Michael Duff and Michael Keane are forming a potential partnership, while Tom Anderson is looking to push on after working his way through the club’s youth system.

Kevin Long is making a good recovery from his new year cruciate knee ligament injury, albeit not yet ready for a recall.

Ben Mee, despite playing predominantly at left back, came to Turf Moor from Manchester City as a centre half.

“They’re all good players,” said Dyche. “All of those relationships take time but I think less so with the two centre halves because they work very closely together anyway. There’s always that dynamic.

“We know that Ben Mee is historically a centre half, although he’s done very well at left back, so he’s another one that can be added to that.”

Dyche confirmed that summer signing Matt Lowton and Fredrik Ulvestad would miss the start of the season through injury, while left back Daniel Lafferty is sidelined for around six weeks with a broken collarbone.

“Fredi won’t make it and Lowts won’t make it either,” said the Burnley boss.

“We’re pleased to say they’re not too serious.

“Fredi’s looked a really awkward one but the X-rays and scans are pretty good. There is a big of damage to one of the ligaments, but it’s just sore.

“Danny has unfortunately broken his collarbone, which will be about six weeks.”