ASHLEY Barnes is relishing the competition with Chris Wood at the top of the scoring charts for the Clarets this season after drawing level last weekend.

Barnes netted his fifth of the campaign against Southampton, the same number Wood has managed since his £15million move from Leeds United.

But the New Zealand international will be breathing down Barnes' neck again now he's back fit after picking up a knee injury in December and coming through another 90 minutes in a behind-closed-doors game on Tuesday.

With Sean Dyche reverting to one up front for the visit of the Saints the battle for places between Barnes, Wood and Sam Vokes, who has three goals to his name this term, is set to be fierce.

So Barnes was happy to do his cause some good with the goal that earned Burnley a point last weekend.

"You want to score as many goals as you can. I go out every week trying to score," he said.

"We have been going with one up front but with the competition up there we are a good group of strikers. There’s no bitterness. Everyone wants each other to do well."

Barnes has taken advantage of Wood's absence with three goals since Boxing Day, including strikes at the Old Trafford and the Etihad.

But he has keen to add to his tally as well and while targeting that top scorer honour he also admits he is below the target he set himself at the start of the campaign.

"I’m not anywhere near it. We have to set high standards and hopefully I can get there by the end of the season. I just know I need to score a lot more, that’s for sure," the 28-year-old said.

"You want to finish as high scorer being a striker to be honest. I’ve not really thought about the competition between me and Chris.

"It would be nice if it did start a run. I know I have to step up with the goals. The performances are there but it’s the goals that need to come.

"It’s tough. As much as you can do is help the team, hold the ball up and be a nuisance."

Barnes showed plenty of desire to notch on Saturday, throwing himself towards the ball and earning the luck of the bounce of the ball off Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.

"I think any striker would go in where it hurts. You have to put your head where it hurts and it’s paid off," he said.

Barnes will look to add his tally against Everton on Saturday and he could benefit from knowing the game of Michael Keane inside out, with the Toffees defender set for his first Turf Moor return since moving to Goodison for £30million last summer.

"It would be like the old days," Barnes said of a battle with a man he has come up against hundreds of times in training.

"It will be nice to see him again. We hope we can get one over on him. We still see him a bit, which is quite nice. The rivalry’s still there.

"It’s almost a fight for that seventh spot, and we hope we can stay on top in that."