Burnley will have to up their bid for Darel Russell if they are serious about signing the player, according to Norwich City manager Bryan Gunn. As the Canaries boss unveiled new signing Stephen Hughes at Carrow Road yesterday, he denied the Scot's arrival meant the departure of fellow midfielders Sammy Clingan and Darel Russell were any closer.

Burnley will have to up their bid for Darel Russell if they are serious about signing the player, according to Norwich City manager Bryan Gunn.

As the Canaries boss unveiled new signing Stephen Hughes at Carrow Road yesterday, he denied the Scot's arrival meant the departure of fellow midfielders Sammy Clingan and Darel Russell were any closer.

However, he did confirm an offer had been forthcoming for Russell from the newly promoted club in recent days, but it did not meet City's valuation of the 29-year-old midfielder. The ball is now firmly in the Clarets' court.

"We received a bid from Burnley last week, which we turned down and obviously Burnley at the moment are considering the situation," said Gunn.

"They are on the other side of the world in America, but there is an opportunity for them, if they want, to come back to us and make an improved offer."

It is believed Burnley's offer was around �500,000, having reportedly offered the Canaries �750,000 12 months ago.

As for Clingan, the highly-rated Northern Irish international is now all but a Coventry City player,

"We've agreed a fee with Coventry, and I believe Sammy has agreed his terms with Coventry," said Gunn. "There seems to be a stalling point at the moment, but that's obviously for Coventry to sort out."

Neither players has featured in a yellow shirt since City's Championship relegation last season.