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The Kiwi striker, who got his nose in front with a first half hat-trick in a 4-0 win away at Wolves, is confident that his team-mate will return with the bit between his teeth.

Barnes, who has hit 41 goals at this level for the Clarets, three fewer than Wood, hasn't featured since the FA Cup win over Fulham at Craven Cottage in mid-February.

"He [Ashley Barnes] has been very supportive about it," said Wood. "He's nice like that. We've had our competitions over the years since I've been here so it's nice to challenge him for the top honour in that role.

Burnley's English striker Ashley Barnes (L) celebrates with Burnley's New Zealand striker Chris Wood (C) after scoring first goal during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Turf Moor on December 21, 2020.

"I'm sure he'll come fighting back very soon. It's an honour to have that under my belt, to be in the record books, and hopefully I can keep making the numbers bigger.

"That's what it's about; competition among strikers and among team-mates. It's fantastic and that is what brings you on.

"We've got four top quality strikers here and that in itself makes you want to fight and work hard to keep your place in the team.

"It's just an added bonus that myself and Barnesy will be fighting it out for a big honour like this is."

Wood won many plaudits for his performance at Molineux, and rightly so. However,he was reluctant to entertain any suggestions linking him with a move away from Turf Moor.

Instead, the former Leeds United striker is desperate to keep his numbers growing. "I had a great game at the weekend and the team had a great performance so it's nice to be able to score goals," he said.

"That's what I want to do consistently throughout my career so that's all I'm concentrating on now.

"We've got a big five games left to go this season and we're looking to push ourselves up the table, earn some more wins and see where that takes us.

"I love it here, there's no getting away from that. I've had four great years here so far, if there's more to come then there's more to come and that's great.

"I want to play football at the highest level possible and playing in the PL is the highest level possible."

Ashley Barnes will come back fighting, says Burnley striker Chris Wood!