Yesterday, Coyle hinted he was close to a potential signing from the Premier League, saying: "I'm anticipating doing something this week.

"We've been in talks with one or two regarding a loan, and we're getting a little bit closer.

"It's not 100%, but we're certainly moving in the right direction.

"Any signing won't necessarily be a loan, but the one I'm taking about would be, so that tells you he's coming from a club where we probably couldn't afford to pay the fee, or they're not prepared to let him go long term.

"Hopefully that will come to fruition, but we're certainly trying to move that on."

And Roy Keane has this morning confirmed that the former Aberdeen man is Turf Moor-bound: "We expect Russell to finalise a deal with Burnley today.

"I spoke with him and one or two other players last week and he agreed he needs to play games.

"He's been good. He said if an opportunity came up, he would take it.

"He went on loan to Plymouth last season, and it will be good for him to go and get some games."

The 29-year-old Scotland international signed for the Black Cats for £1m last summer, having been nominated for the Scottish PFA Players' Player of the Year award - the only Scot and only player from outside Celtic to be nominated.

Coyle said: "It should be done this afternoon.

"It is a season-long loan deal.

"He was outstanding at Aberdeen, and Sunderland paid something like £1m last year to buy him, but he is a Scotland international, and was immense up there.

"He did very well with Plymouth last season on loan, and there were a few clubs in for him."

More will follow later