CHRIS Eagles has dropped the biggest hint yet that he will remain a Claret – by setting an improved goals target for next season.

The winger shared the Golden Boot with homegrown striker Jay Rodriguez after both ended the season with 15 goals.

But Eagles has spoken of his determination to improve his return by at least five next season, and in doing so suggested that he is not ready to quit Turf Moor, despite failing to secure a top six Championship finish.

Former Manchester United wide-man Eagles, who rejected a move to newly-crowned SPL champions Rangers last summer, was linked with a January move to Everton, despite signing a new two-year deal in August.

He later admitted he found the speculation unsettling but once the transfer window closed, he continued to add goals to his game.

“Starting off this season was difficult because there was a lot of speculation whether I was leaving or not.

“I missed the first four or five games and I didn’t know what was happening.

"But as soon as I started playing I knew I wanted to stay, which is why I signed the new deal.

“And for some reason the chances were coming along a lot more than normal.

“I’m pleased with 15 but next year I’m going to go for 20. I hit the bar a couple of times and missed a penalty.

"I could easily have got to 20 this time, and that’s what I’m going to go for next season,” said the 25-year-old, who almost doubled his tally from Burnley’s promotion season in 2008/09.

“It’s a shame we didn’t get in the play-offs. Teams like QPR and Norwich, who have gone up this year; you couldn’t say they’ve got more than us. We just haven’t got the results when we needed them.

“But there’s always next season and I’m sure the gaffer is going to add to the squad and we are going to push on.”

It is likely Eagles’ name will again feature in the rumour mill this summer.

But the fact he is looking to the future at Turf Moor will be music to manager Eddie Howe’s ears as he looks to extend the contracts of a number of existing players.

“I’d certainly like to with certain players but that’s a two-way thing.

"They have to want to commit to the club. We need to sit down with those players and have those discussions,” said the Clarets’ boss.

“Players we see as long-term parts of the plan we definitely would like to extend contracts because I think to build long-term success you need that stability.”

In terms of his own summer transfer dealings, he added: “I’ve said all along the board are very supportive, but they’re also realistic in terms of the club’s finances, so we’re going to have to be smart and think with our heads and make the right decisions.

“There’s not a huge pot of money to play with.

“We’re realistic to our position so we’re going to have to keep all options open.”