Sponsored by
Nugent eager to commit his future to improving Clarets
Burnley 1 Bolton Wanderers 1 ON-LOAN striker David Nugent is keen to stay at Burnley – at least until the end of the season.
Saturday's draw against Bolton saw Nugent score his third goal for the club after arriving from Portsmouth, where he was out of favour.
His goal was timely not just for himself but also for Burnley, as they had fallen behind to a superb free-kick from Matt Taylor in the 29th minute.
Nugent's time at Turf Moor is due to end next month but he said: "We have talked about a loan deal until the end of the season.
"Hopefully something will be sorted out sooner rather than later. I am enjoying it here and scoring goals."
Nugent could now retain his place in the team today when Burnley face his boyhood idols Everton at Goodison Park.
Manager Owen Coyle was refusing to give out any clues, however, as to his starting XI but re-affirmed he wanted to retain the player's services.
He said: "David is in my ear every week about starting. He is a great lad.
"Being an Everton supporter he would love to be out there. He has certainly not done himself any harm with his goal against Bolton.
"He knows I would love to keep him, and my opinion of him. I hope we can extend the loan or maybe even sort out a permanent deal as we want to bring young hungry players to the club.
"It is up to the powers that be to sort it out."
Burnley turned up the heat in the second half after going behind and Steven Fletcher squandered a glorious chance before Nugent equalised.
The former Preston frontman's goal came when he escaped his marker to nod home Wade Elliott's centre in the 56th minute. Bolton were then grateful to Jussi Jaaskelainen for making two point-blank saves from Chris Eagles and Nugent in quick succession as they again found themselves on the back foot.
Burnley had to settle for a draw, however, and travel to Merseyside still looking for their first away league win of the season.
Coyle has nothing but respect for his opposite number David Moyes, a man whose roots are also bedded in Glasgow.
Coyle said: "David is in the top bracket of managers worldwide, no doubt about it. He is someone I have a lot of time for. The thing I like about him is how hard he works.
"When I was at Bolton as a player he was at Preston. He used to come over and we would chat. You knew then he was focused on coaching even when he was still playing.
"David has really taken to it. You only have to look at his record to know the quality he has got. He has moved them on year in, year out. He is the perfect role model for any young manager."
Coyle will monitor the fitness of centre-backs Steven Caldwell and Clarke Carlisle ahead of the visit to Goodison Park. Both players were forced to miss the draw with Bolton because of groin problems.
The result took Burnley's tally to 20 points in their first season since winning promotion to the top flight.
Coyle said: "I felt a little bit aggrieved to be 1-0 down at half-time but Bolton are always a threat at set plays. But then some of our passing and movement was very pleasing on the eye. It was just that Jaaskelainen is a top class keeper and some of his saves were out of the top drawer. I thought we deserved to win but we are now on 20 points, which is more than many people thought. What we have to do now is gather more so we can retain our status."
Everton hope to have midfielder Phil Neville available today for what would be his first taste of action since September.
The 32-year-old was a surprise inclusion on the bench for Saturday's 1-1 draw at Sunderland after just one day's training on his return from a long-standing knee injury, although he was unused. Moyes still awaits the impending returns of Sylvain Distin and Joseph Yobo.
Burnley: Jensen, Mears, Duff, Bikey, Jordan, Elliott, McDonald, Alexander, Eagles, Nugent, Steven Fletcher (Blake 80). Unused substitutes: Penny, Kalvenes, Gudjonsson, Edgar, Thompson, Guerrero.
Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Lee (Gardner 73), Basham, Cohen, Taylor, Kevin Davies, Klasnic (Mark Davies 67). Unused substitutes: Al Habsi, Samuel, Elmander, Ricketts, Andrew O'Brien.
Referee: C Foy (Merseyside).
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
