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Burnley say they have received an "unwanted approach" for manager Eddie Howe from his former club Bournemouth.

Howe managed Bournemouth for two years, leading them to promotion in 2010.

In a statement, Burnley chief executive Lee Hoos said: "Bournemouth have made an unsolicited and unwanted approach for manager Eddie Howe.

"Burnley Football Club would like to stress that no agreement has been reached and Eddie Howe is still the Burnley manager."

Howe, who also played more than 250 times for Bournemouth, has been in charge of the Championship club for nearly two years.

His potential return would be a major coup for ambitious Bournemouth who sacked previous boss Paul Groves in October.

But the statement continued: "No permission has been granted for Bournemouth to speak to Eddie."

Howe had been linked with a switch to Bournemouth last week but refused to comment on the speculation.

His potential move back to the Dorset club is thought to be based on personal reasons.

Burnley have made a mixed start to the Championship season - they lie 16th in the table with 11 points from their first 10 matches.

Bournemouth-born Howe won 51 of his 102 matches in charge of his hometown club and kept them in the Football League in his first season in charge. The following season they were promoted to League One.

Burnley midfielder Marvin Bartley, who also previously played for the club, is also being linked with a return to the Goldsands Stadium, along with assistant manager Jason Tindall.