JOEY Barton believes that in Andre Gray Burnley have got an ‘unplayable predator’ - and the best goal-getter in the Championship.

Gray would become the first player in the club’s history to score a brace in four consecutive home games if he continues his Turf Moor trend against Brighton on Sunday.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The £6million club record signing scored twice in wins over Bolton, Huddersfield and Fulham, equalling a record set by Bert Freeman almost 103 years ago.

He will re-write the history books if he scores two or more in this weekend’s televised game.

Barton would back him to do it, and says there is none better in the league.

“He’s unplayable at times,” said the midfielder.

“What he offers in this league, what he’s about with his strength and his pace - not only that but his goal-scoring ability.

“You look around the league and you think ‘Who else has got that?’.

“There are some really good players in this league but the more I look around it I don’t think there’s anyone who puts fear into defenders the way he does. You would be petrified playing against him.

“He’s so fast over five yards and so strong, and you know when he gets the other side of you he’s going to score.

“He gets you up the pitch sometimes because of the way he is. He can get you a throw-in, he takes the game to opponents. He’s got everything really.”

And Barton is confident that Gray, who has worked his way up from non-league to the second tier, can take his game on to an even higher level.

“You look at (Jamie) Vardy who’s gone up through the leagues similar to Andre and while they’re different in terms of their build the ability to put the fear of God into defenders with their pace is there for all to see, and I think Andre offers that,” said the 33-year-old England cap.

“It’s an incredible bit of business from Burnley to get him to the football club in the manner they did, and £6million now looks really good value, so credit to the recruitment staff here and the people who got them to the football club.

“He’s a great asset to play with and I think there’s a lot more to come from him, that’s the exciting thing.”