Chris Eagles is backing Stuart Gray for Burnley FC job

Gray’s initial three-game spell at the helm expired on Saturday as the Clarets progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-2 victory over Jim Gannon’s Port Vale.

But, with the club yet to appoint the successor to Brian Laws after he stepped down on December 29th, Eagles is adamant that the club’s first team coach would help the club progress in whichever role he is handed.

“It’s very positive,” Eagles said. “It’s just the way he speaks, he’s very confident, the training is always fit and attacking and I really think the directors should think about who they want to manage the team because I think Stuart is doing a brilliant job.”

Eagles has scored in both home games during Gray’s short but productive tenure; levelling the fixture against Sheffield United with a sublime 30-yard drive and putting the Clarets 3-1 ahead against Vale with a composed first time finish which flew in to the roof of Stuart Tomlinson’s net early in the second half.

He also had a big hand in a majority of the Clarets nine goals during that period.

Eagles said: “He’s very good for myself and he talks to me on a personal level.

“I was pleased Stuart took over and he’s had three games now and I think give him a few more because I think he’s got a brilliant future in front of him.

“He’s got a football brain.

“The lads haven’t got a bad word to say about him.

“It’s hard to say who makes a great manager and who doesn’t, it’s just the feeling you get off him.

“I think with him and Pash there there’s a real good spirit within the team.

“I’ll make that clear to whoever makes the decision; I want Stuart to stay.”

Now in his third season at the club, and committing his future to the Clarets until the summer of 2012, Eagles proposed that the new manager would be inheriting a fantastic squad hungry for success.

“They have (a great job),” Eagles added.

“I’ve been here two years now and the players here are a very tight squad, there are no individuals, it’s all tight. Anyone who comes here will enjoy it.”

l BURNLEY have been drawn at home to face League 2 Burton Albion in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Fourth round ties are to be held on the weekend of the 29th and 30th of January.

Paul Peschisolido’s side booked their place by coming from behind to beat Championship side Middlesbrough 2-1 on Saturday at the Pirelli Stadium.

l Burnley’s Championship game away to Cardiff City has been rearranged.

This game will now take place at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, February 15th (7-45 p.m. kick-off).

The original game was cancelled ion December 18th due to heavy snowfall in South Wales.

All tickets purchased for the original game remain valid.