Burnley’s Austin keen to ignore speculation

The 23-year-old’s headed winner against Leeds last week took him to 20 goals this season in 17 appearances, making him the top scorer in European football and the fastest player to reach the landmark in Burnley’s history.

Austin also etched his name into the club record books with a double in last month’s 4-3 win at Bristol City. An eighth consecutive match on the scoresheet, during a run which included two hat-tricks, saw him match the exploits of Clarets legend Ray Pointer in the 1958-59 season.

During his time at Swindon, Austin felt speculation around a move up the divisions hindered his form and, as such, has little time for reports linking him with a host of Premier League clubs ahead of tomorrow’s Championship clash with Charlton.

“I’m not up there – I play in the Championship, I don’t play in the Premier League,” he said.

“If I do get there, brilliant, and I’ll assess that situation when I get there.”

He added: “I play for Burnley in the Championship at the moment.

“I’ve got a job to do here in the Championship scoring as many goals as I can and that’s what I’m doing.”

Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha saw his superb form in the second tier rewarded with a debut against Sweden, as part of a squad containing only two recognised strikers.

Nevertheless, Austin does not view himself as being close to a similar honour.

“Look at the England strikers that are in the Premier League that didn’t get called up,” Austin said.

“I’m just doing my job for Burnley and scoring goals and if I get rewarded, I get rewarded.

“But there’s a lot of strikers out there a lot higher than me,” he added.