Striker Ings is ready to fire

Ings netted twice at Turf Moor on Thursday night in England Under 21s’ 3-1 friendly win over Portugal.

Having looked sharp upon his return to the Burnley side following a month out with a hamstring injury, the 22-year-old feels he is getting back up to speed, and is looking to add to his one league goal so far this season, on Saturday at Stoke City.

Ings said: “My injury didn’t help at all.

“I missed a few games, but it gave me that time to build myself up again in the gym.

“I did that and I feel like I’ve come back a lot sharper since I did my hamstring and my form’s growing.”

Sean Dyche had pointed out the likes of Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez as an example to try and follow, after scoring twice for the Gunners in a 3-0 win against Burnley earlier this month, and Ings agreed: “The way he covered the pitch, his stats off the ball and on the ball were fantastic.

“The gaffer was right, I can only look up to those players, they’re worth millions and they’re paid the big bucks and that’s obviously why.

“But I’ll pick up things from other players, not just him.”

Ings, who played centrally for England, flanked by wide forwards Nathan Redmond and Tom Ince, has had a number of strike partners for the Clarets in the absence of Sam Vokes, with whom he shared 47 goals last season.

And he feels he can forge an effective understanding with Ashley Barnes, Lukas Jutkiewicz or Marvin Sordell ahead of Vokes’ return from injury: “I think it’s been great, I think every striker brings something different to the team, it’s definitely going to improve my game and improve their game.

“For example Barnesy came in, he hadn’t started but he came in with a great attitude, he worked hard for the team and he got his reward with the goal against Hull.

“It’s important what’s best for the team and the gaffer picked Barnesy to be up front with me and it obviously paid off, but I’d like to think I can get a partnership with every striker and I think they can with me and everybody else.”