HOTSHOT Charlie Austin hopes his Championship player of the month award is the first of many.

The striker received the prize for October after scoring seven of his 20 goals so far this season, helping the Clarets to back-to-back wins over Blackpool and Bristol City in the process.

Austin also grabbed a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday, the last goal of which he counts as his favourite.

“I don’t score many from outside the box so that was a decent strike, and the header against Blackpool,” he said.

“That was the first game for Pash (Terry Pashley) after Eddie Howe had left, and it was a big game for us because we could have gone under but we didn’t. We stuck at it and got the goal and the defended great as a team.”

Of the award, the 23-year-old said. “It’s the first one, hopefully it’s the first of many and I’m chuffed to bits to get it.

“It shows I’m doing my job for the team and hopefully it can continue.”

And he praised his team-mates for their part in his outstanding form.

“I’ve said many times before if it wasn’t for my team-mates I wouldn’t be in this position to win the award,” Austin added.

“I’m there in the team to score goals but Tripps (Kieran Trippier) has set up six or seven of my goals so if it wasn’t for him and the rest of the lads I wouldn’t be getting the opportunities that I have been.

“If I can keep scoring goals along with everyone else then Burnley should be getting three points and getting up the top end of the league.”

Austin, who was shortlisted alongside Blackburn Rovers defender Grant Hanley and Peterborough United’s George Boyd, will be formally presented with his award at 2.45pm today ahead of Burnley’s home game against Charlton Athletic.