Coyle has been in discussions with Turf Moor chairman Barry Kilby regarding squad strengthening in the light of the revelation that the Premier League new-boys made a loss of £8.9million in their promotion season.

Coyle has produced an attractive side punching above their weight - the Clarets are currently 11th in the top flight - but admits to looking for additions.

"Ultimately we will look to move the club on," Coyle said. "The chairman knows my feelings.

"I am always asking because I want to improve the club, I want to take it on. To do that we need a number of things and finance is a big, big part of that."

Nugent is on a three-month loan from bottom club Portsmouth, whose appointment of Avram Grant as new manager could affect his future.

Former boss Paul Hart was happy to farm out the former Preston player but Grant may have other ideas.

Coyle said: "I don't know the answer from a Portsmouth side of things but I do know that from Burnley Football Club's perspective that David Nugent has been a breath of fresh air since he came here and I want him here permanently.

"There are a number of factors to be looked at but what I would say in terms of David as a lad and a player is I am absolutely thrilled with how he has done.

"He will be a little bit frustrated that there are a few games he has not started but I think he recognises that it is down to the form of Steven Fletcher and not anything he has done.

"I love working with him, he comes in with a smile on his face, he's a natural finisher, he has pace to burn and is still such a young player at 24 years of age.

"There is such a fantastic career in front of him and I would like to think I could help him to maximise his potential."

Nugent has scored just twice for the Lancashire club but has been consigned to bench duty primarily, a role which is likely to continue at Upton Park on Saturday with Coyle keen to name the same XI for the fifth league match on the trot.

Burnley halted their alarming away form, which had seen them ship 17 goals in five straight defeats, with an enthralling 3-3 draw at Champions League-chasing Manchester City earlier this month.

That was a result which should inspire greater confidence in a search for a first win on the road.

"I would hope you will see that on Saturday," Coyle said. "That is the proverbial monkey off our back.

"We have come in for a bit of criticism and understably because of the global coverage this league gets but we showed with the point, and our performance, the quality we have."

West Ham have won just once on their home turf this campaign as they have struggled so far despite the promise they showed last year under Gianfranco Zola.

However, Coyle added: "Nothing surprises me in this Premier League. It is so competitive.

"You only have to look just now with Everton down in amongst the group of teams - although David Moyes will sort them out and they will finish well up the league.

"Nobody would have expected that but it is because of injuries and that can happen to anyone in this league."

Burnley have been fortunate in that regard thus far but will lose Andre Bikey in January for the African Nations Cup - although he is not required for Cameroon's pre-tournament training camp.

"We will lose him for some period of time but that is what happens when you bring international class players to your club," said Coyle.

"We are disappointed to lose him for some time but it is nice that it is not as long as we anticipated."