Burnley new boy Vokes determined to settle down at Turf Moor (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Burnley new boy Vokes determined to settle down at Turf Moor

9:50am Thursday 2nd August 2012 in Sport By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter

RETURNING striker Sam Vokes insists he is looking forward to building a future with Burnley, and he believes it will be a bright one.

The 22-year-old, who is back for his second spell at the club – this time on a permanent basis following a two-month loan spell last season, is ready to put down roots.

In the last two years the targetman has been loaned out to six different Champion-ship clubs, including the Clarets .

Although he has been able to add to his experience, he admits the situation was far from ideal.

“I’ve been living out of a suitcase effectively for the last couple of years and it’s been a bit of a nightmare,” said Vokes.

But after making a clean break from Wolves, who he joined from Bournemouth more than four years ago – helping them win promotion at the end of his first season, he is happy to have found a familiar home at Turf Moor.

“I can finally settle down and get stuck into a club. That was a big thing for me,” he said. “I had a discussion with the (Wolves) manager when we were away in Ireland for a week (on pre-season). I was considering my future and told him where I stood.

“We agreed that I was looking to get out.”

On his Turf Moor return, he added: “It was a bit of a mad day. I started off collecting my boots from Wolves this morning and ended up playing on Tuesday night.

“There were talks going on over the weekend and I got the shout on Tuesday morning to come down and meet with the squad at about 2pm and then had my medical.

“It was good to meet up with the lads again. I know them all and I know how the gaffer and Jason (Tindall) work. It’s good to be back.”

Although there are some familiar faces for Vokes, whose nine appearances coincided with Burnley’s best spell of last season, there is one less following Jay Rodriguez’s departure.

The pair formed a formidable union in consecutive wins over Hull, Ipswich and West Ham.

But Vokes, who is understood to have cost the Clarets £350,000 – £150,000 less than the figure originally estimated – is excited by the different facets in Burnley’s current front line.

“We’re four completely different players, and obviously that’s looking at what the gaffer wants on a matchday. We all work well with each other and know each other well. I played with all three of them when I was last here so I think it will be good,” said the Wales international, who has become manager Eddie Howe’s fifth summer signing on the back of Luke O’Neill, George Porter, Joseph Mills on loan from Reading, and experienced defender Jason Shackell’s move from Derby.

“There have been some good additions I think,” he said.

“I know Shacks very well from Wolves.

“Millsy and a few of the younger lads coming through look good as well.

“It’s a good squad.

“Jay has gone on to become a Premier League player and that’s great for him, we all wish him all the best.

“It’s a chance for us to build a team around everyone else now.”

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