THERE’S international qualifiers from tonight right through to early next week, and with a few representatives from Burnley in the national squads, let’s hope they come back without any injuries.

Although most will probably not get much game time, it’s always a worry for both management and fans alike when they get the call for their country.

One player more than any other will be relishing his involvement.

Sam Vokes could be part of a modern day achievement if his Wales team seal qualification for a major tournament for the first time since 1958.

For Sam’s sake, I hope they do.

Well, what at top night we had in New York last Friday.

It may be only a tiny suburb just off Rotherham town centre but it still retains that glamorous ring to it, so I’m sticking with that exotic moniker.

There was somewhat of a first when I purchased my match day programme, priced at £3, when the seller returned a pound coin, explaining that due to printing errors on a number of pages there was a discount.

So I turned the front page and, sure enough, the programme started at page 43.

That was forgivable – the misspelling of BUNRLEY on page 11, however, wasn’t. On that basis alone, the issue should have been free to compensate for my hurt feelings.

The New York stadium, erected on the site of an old steel foundry, is possibly the most stylish new build of all the compact, purpose-built grounds I’ve visited with Burnley.

The Clarets ground out a victory when a draw looked the most likely outcome for all Burnley’s superiority.

For the first time this season, both strikers were on the scoresheet, with the Vokes-Gray partnership seemingly gaining more of an understanding each game they play.

What a full debut for the previously errant Joey Barton, though, who pulled the strings in midfield like a master puppeteer.

This after taking a few heavy challenges that were looking for a reaction that never came.

You know, I think this role and the responsibility it carries could just be the making of him, both as a player and a man.