ACCRINGTON Stanley have landed former Burnley captain Paul Cook - and his veteran team-mate Gordon Armstrong is also set to sign.

And there could yet be a trio of ex-Clarets descending on the Crown Ground as rumours continue to link the Reds with striker Andy Payton.

Midfield man Cook agreed a one-year contract with the new Nationwide Conference club last week.

Reds' chairman Eric Whalley said: "We are delighted that Paul has decided to join the club. His experience will be invaluable and will no doubt help the younger players.

"For us to be able to attract a player like Paul is great for the club. I don't think many teams in the Conference would be able to tempt a captain from the First Division to join them."

The 36-year-old was released by the Clarets at the end of last season despite making 31 appearances during their campaign.
He has also played for Stockport County, Tranmere Rovers, Coventry, Wolves, Norwich and Wigan, scoring 87 goals in more than 600 games.

Manager John Coleman said he viewed Cook as an ideal replacement for departed anchorman Mike Marsh.

He said: "People will look at his age but I think he is as fit as anybody we have here. He is a great lad with first-class experience and a superb pedigree. I have no doubts about his ability and he will be a fantastic asset to the club."

But despite Cook's string of high-profile clubs, Whalley stated the club was not prepared to break the bank to attract star talent to the Crown Ground.

He said: "The club is run as a business and our outgoings must be in proportion to our incomings. We have self-set limits that we will not exceed and we certainly won't pay full-time wages to part-time players."

Defender Armstrong, 35, who was also released at the end of last season after five years with the Clarets, has agreed terms for a one-year deal.

Armstrong, who played in an FA Cup final for Sunderland, is yet to put pen to paper. But he is believed to have been impressed with Accrington's ambitions and is keen to help them push for promotion to the Football League next season.