Eagles’ focus on Doncaster

And at the time of going to press yesterday, there remained no offer from Everton for the Clarets’ mercurial forward.

Contrary to reports in the national media yesterday morning, Everton had had no contact with Burnley - indeed, there has never been any contact, despite tired speculation being raised in every window.

Eagles himself admitted he knew of interest from the Toffees.

But, having turned down Rangers in the summer and signing an extension to his contract, which runs until the summer of 2012, he seemed committed to the Clarets and helping the club return to the Premier League.

After becoming the club’s leading scorer with a brace against Burton to take his tally to 11 for the season, he said: “Of course, you do (miss playing in the Premier League). You miss playing with the best players in the world.

“It’s one of my aims – I always have aims – and it’s something that I want to do again.

“I don’t know the full depth of it, I just know that they (Everton) want me.

“It’s between the clubs, I don’t get involved myself. I just let them do it and whatever happens, happens.

“I’m concentrating here and whenever I put the Burnley shirt on I’m happy and thanking the crowd for everything they do for me. Whatever happens happens. Everyone knows that I’m happy here.

“I’m just concentrating on Burnley at the moment and looking forward to Doncaster to get another win and climb the table because I believe that we should be in the top two.

“We’ve dropped some points through bad defending. We should be up there and I think the other teams know that because we do play football.”

Asked if Everton would be hard to resist, he admitted: “Of course. Everyone knows it’s a great club.

“But I don’t want to think about things that could or couldn’t happen.”

Instead, he was focussing on tonight’s game at Doncaster, and he admits he is relishing the roaming role given him by new boss Eddie Howe: “I love it. I used to play there at United and when I was young, playing off a striker.

“It’s very difficult because when you’re playing on the wing you face the play and when you’re playing in the hole your back’s to play. It’s quite a hard position to play but I’m loving every minute of it.

“You’re in the play all the time.

“On the wing people sometimes think you’re not always in the game, but being out there you’ve got to rely on people getting you the ball. If people don’t get you the ball what can you do?

“In the hole you’re everywhere.

“I thank Eddie Howe for what he’s done and I hope it continues.

“He played me right in there from the start.

“I know he watched the QPR game and a few days later he came into training and put me in there. I’ve loved it.” And he is enjoying working under Howe: “I think the gaffer’s got a lot of potential and I think he’s going to do very well.

“It’s not the easiest thing coming to a club when a manager’s left and he has to come in not knowing any of the players and we didn’t really know anything about him.

“But I think he’s got great potential.

“His staff are really good and I’m looking forward to working with him for the rest of the season.”

Earlier this season Eagles stated his belief that he could regularly hit double figures, and having topped his previous best seasonal haul of eight already, he is aiming for more: “I’m still disappointed with the ones I’m missing.

“I scored two against Burton but I believe I should have scored four or five.

“It’s something my dad’s brought me up with, to aim higher.

“It’s the most I’ve ever scored and I’ve got to keep going now.

“Every goal’s a bonus. I like creating goals as well so I was pleased with my link-up play. If I don’t score I like to set them up.

“But my agent and my dad set out for me to get 16 – double what I’ve got before - but I’d love 20 and I’ll be pushing for that.”

He also has his sights set on a third successive win under Howe tonight: “Two wins in this league takes you right up.

“It’s a very funny league.

“If you get two wins and the teams around you lose and you’re straight back in.

“It’s very exciting.”