Vokes wants goal to be a catalyst (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Vokes wants goal to be a catalyst

9:00am Saturday 9th February 2013 in Sport By Chris Flanagan, Sports reporter

SAM Vokes hopes his midweek goal for Wales will help him to secure a starting spot both at international level and with Burnley.

The Clarets striker came off the bench to net in Wales’ 2-1 friendly win over Austria in Swansea on Wednesday night, his fifth goal for his country.

Vokes was replaced in Burnley’s starting line-up by the returning Charlie Austin at Peterborough last weekend, but hopes to have impressed both Sean Dyche and Wales boss Chris Coleman with his international goal.

Vokes said: “It was great to come off the bench and get a goal.

“You always have a point to prove when you come on as a substitute and that is what I hope I did.

“Gareth (Bale) did really well on the wing and put a great ball in.

“You have to take every chance you can get at this level to show your worth and I feel I did that.

"Hopefully this proves a point and I can push for a starting place for club and country.

“Everyone wants to play and we have two important games next month, so I hope scoring will help my cause.”

Clarets boss Dyche said: “I think since we’ve been here Sam has worked very hard. “I still think he’s a developing player, I don’t think he’s a rounded finished article and is still learning his role in the team and how the team operates.

“But of course on the international stage he scored a very good goal and an important goal, and that’s fantastic for us.”