Burnley FC and Scott Parker could forget Morgan Whittaker, Plymouth Argyle deal on their own terms | OneFootball

Burnley's returning star could offset the need to sign Morgan Whittaker

It's been a whirlwind few days for Burnley, who have not only seen Mike Tresor make a surprise first appearance of the season, but have also made an offer to Plymouth Argyle for Morgan Whittaker.

Although Argyle are said to have rejected that proposal for Whittaker, the Clarets don't look set to be deterred in pursuit of one of their long-standing targets, seeing two summer offers knocked back for the youngster too.

Scott Parker is looking to strengthen his squad for the promotion run-in, and with his Burnley side firmly among the frontrunners for the top two spots, it's understandable to see the Clarets do everything they can to try and secure an instant return to the top flight.

They evidently feel Whittaker is someone who can help ensure they'll still be in the top two come the end of the campaign, but Parker may have stumbled upon an alternative option in the returning Tresor.

The Belgian came off the bench in Saturday's FA Cup win against Reading, and his return certainly creates a headache as most Burnley supporters had acknowledged that he'd probably leave this month.

Mike Tresor's return lessens Burnley's need for Morgan Whittaker

Tresor came off the bench on Saturday to set up Zian Flemming's winning goal, whilst he also played a big role in the third goal which sealed the game, and he showed in his brief cameo that he still has quality.

Naturally, proving that against League One Reading is one thing, but he has to show that form in the Championship now to be viewed as a long-term solution, although his cameo is a start and gives him something to build on.

Coming on and playing off the right - a position familiar to Whittaker - Tresor looked to bring the invention in the final third that the Clarets have desperately lacked at times this season, and it poses the question of whether Burnley actually need the Plymouth talisman.

A £16m recruit from Genk 18 months ago, Tresor hasn't shown anything to justify that hefty price tag so far, but Saturday's showing was a step in the right direction, and if Parker can get more of those performances out of him, then you could argue he would keep Whittaker out of the team anyway.

Parker now wants to get more minutes into the legs of Tresor, and if he can get him up to match speed quickly, he could prove to be a real weapon in the last months of the season.

Although his return on Saturday was largely positive, Tresor did come in for some criticism from sections of Burnley fans for his application to the game.

His body language certainly wouldn't be one to show a young pro making his way in the game, and it did come across that he looked a little disinterested when he came off the bench from the way he trudged around the pitch.

That kind of effort level is passable against League One Reading when he comes on against tired legs, but to be trusted from the off in big games - like the Sunderland game on Friday and Leeds soon to come - he simply has to apply himself properly.

Whittaker would almost certainly come into the side and apply himself in the fashion any football fan expects of the 11 men on the field, so that lays down the gauntlet to Tresor to prove his worth.

Fortunately for the Clarets, if he can't prove he's ready to go to war to get Burnley over the line in their promotion quest, they have time to move him on this month.