LAST month Kieran Trippier revealed just what a ‘horrible nuisance’ Ashley Barnes is to play against – even in training.

On Thursday Barnes got his right of reply. Was he really that bad? Does he actually stand on defenders’ toes?

Just as he was asked what he had to say about Trippier’s insights, the full-back, and Barnes’ travelling partner, popped his head into the press room.

“We can talk about it in the car,” Barnes joked.

In truth, he didn’t mind. He might only be 25 years old, but there is plenty of the old-fashioned forward in Barnes, and he wears comments such as being ‘horrible to play against’ as a badge of honour.

Only Leonardo Ulloa has committed as many fouls as the 41 Barnes has been whistled for, having spent 195 minutes more on the pitch this season, but the Bath-born centre forward believes it is all part of the battle between striker and defender, and one Premier League players aren’t as comfortable with.

“I just try to be a nuisance as much as possible for defenders and if it pays off, it pays off,” said the former Brighton striker.

“They’re not really used to it and you can tell that. They’re used to just having the ball and being in control. If you can get amongst them, they don’t like it, that’s for sure.

“It’s just a normal battle but in the Premier League, they’re not used to it.”

Barnes, who likes what he sees in the way Diego Costa brings physicality to his game, is used to listening to defenders’ complaints, but insists he is just trying to help the team.

“You get defenders moaning at you all the time,” he said. “One of the lads showed me the paper this week and it said I’ve committed the most fouls. So that’s not good, is it?

“If it helps the team and we stay up then brilliant.

“Everyone will give you a battle for sure. You’ve just got to make sure you come out on top. Stick the ball in the back of the net and that’s all you can do.”

The battle between striker and defender is something of a dying art in the game, but it’s one Barnes is determined to nurture for as long as he can.

“Yes, I don’t think you see that nowadays. It’s all about passing. You don’t really get that; you just see them put their hands up and let players run past easily,” he said.

“You just try and ruffle defences. It’s just playing the game, really. You can stop counter-attacks, that’s for sure.

“I like to get in amongst it and if there’s an advantage for our team, so be it.

“If you can come out on top, win your aerial battles, and if your game’s going well then you get a few opportunities to get under their skin.

“Hopefully it frees up space for team-mates to go and score or create chances.”

Barnes is set to start his 13th Premier League game in a row at Sunderland this afternoon (3pm), and he will see a few familiar faces now with the Black Cats.

The Wearsiders’ boss Gus Poyet was Barnes’ manager at Brighton for three years, while he also played with Liam Bridcutt and Will Buckley at the Amex Stadium.

The spotlight may be on seven-goal Danny Ings ahead of the game, but Bridcutt believes his partnership with Barnes is crucial to the Clarets.

“Ash is a key player for Burnley at the minute,” he said. “He’s done great for them since he came into the side regularly.

“I know him really well and he’s an honest player. Him and Ings are working well together, they’ve got a good partnership.”

and know each other well.”

“He came from non-league and worked his way up to the Premier League.

“He developed massively at Brighton. When I first signed there, he’d been there a year and from the first time I saw him to when we left Brighton, he’d developed massively. He’s only getting better too.

“Him and Ings are working well together, they’ve got a good partnership and know each other well.”