Jutkiewicz out to silence critics

Burnley went 655 minutes without finding the net, before Michael Kightly struck at Leicester a fortnight ago, with Ross Wallace’s injury time free kick earning a 2-2 draw.

Scott Arfield scored in the first game of the season against Chelsea, meaning no Clarets striker has broken his duck this season, including summer signing Jutkiewicz.

But he feels his hard work will ultimately pay dividends.

Looking ahead to the Hammers clash at Turf Moor, he said: “It’s something that all strikers think about and obviously I’m no different.

“We’re working on every aspect to try and improve and hopefully that’s something that will come.”

The two goals at the King Power Stadium proved Burnley can score at this level, despite dissenting voices from outside, and the former Everton frontman added: “We’re going to have that all season so it’s up to us to try and ignore what’s said outside the club and focus on what we’re trying to achieve.

“We deserved something at Leicester, you can have all the play you want and come out with nothing at the end of it, so it was nice to have something to show for our efforts.

“We ended the game quite strongly and it was nice to get the equaliser. It’s a shame not to have another game the next week to build a bit of momentum.”

Jutkiewicz partnered Danny Ings for the first three and a half Premier League games, before Ings’ hamstring injury, but now fit again, the pair could be reunited tomorrow, and Jutkiewicz said: “We’re delighted to have him back on the training pitch. He’s a massive part of what we want to do. He’s a quality player and we’re obviously pleased to see him back fit.”

Asked whether he feels the pair can hit it off together, he insisted: “Yes I think so. It’s something we’re working on and hopefully that will come to fruition.”

Ings and Sam Vokes scored 47 goals between them last season, before Vokes suffered a bad knee injury.

Jutkiewicz has filled the void, but he hasn’t been overawed by trying to replicate that partnership: “I don’t know if that makes it more difficult or not really. They did fantastically last season, they were incredible together and that’s not something that I would want to shy away from.

“Obviously I’m just here to help the team in every way possible.

“People on the outside looking in might think it makes it more difficult but not for me personally, no.”