FORMER Burnley goalkeeper and Wales international Danny Coyne has hailed Sam Vokes’ achievements with the Dragons at Euro 2016 as ‘unbelievable’.

Vokes has started the last two games for Chris Coleman’s side and will face a battle with Hal Robson-Kanu to lead the line in tomorrow’s quarter-final against Belgium.

MORE TOP STORIES:

It has been a dream 2016 so far for Vokes, who has 12 goals in the calendar year for the Clarets including the strike that secured promotion against QPR and one in the title-clinching win at Charlton.

And Coyne, who played 16 times for Wales, believes Vokes has done brilliantly for his country over the past three weeks.

“It’s an unbelievable achievement for him to be playing like this and getting this far in the European Championships,” said Coyne, who spent three years at Turf Moor.

“It just tops off his promotion to the Premier League as well. He’s had a brilliant season personally and he’s topping it off with performances in the Euros as well.

“He must be delighted with how everything is going. You can tell he’s enjoying himself on the pitch and you know what you’re going to get from him.

“He works hard, he’s a handful and he scores goals. He’s done brilliantly for his country.”

Burnley return to pre-season training on Monday although Vokes won’t be there, regardless of how Wales do tomorrow night, but Coyne is confident he can take his hot streak into the Premier League next term.

“It just shows what you can do,” said Coyne “It’s massive for some of these players to be playing in a European Championship.

“If you work hard and you’re dedicated to your profession then you take your chance, look at what Sam has done, it’s a fantastic achievement for himself and I’m sure he can take this into next season.”

Wales topped Group B ahead of England, with Vokes starting in the 3-0 win over Russia in the final group game, He kept his place as they beat Northern Ireland in the last 16 to reach this stage.

The Wales squad celebrated the Three Lions’ departure from the tournament on Monday night with gusto as it confirmed their status as best home nation at Euro 2016.

“It’s beyond everyone’s wildest dreams, winning the group and getting to the quarter-finals, it’s just amazing what they’ve done,” added Coyne, who is now goalkeeping coach at Shrewsbury Town.

“I’m made up for them. Achieving qualification for the tournament and then going the extra mile after that is unbelievable.”

The team spirit in the Wales camp was evident once again with their celebrations on Monday night, and Coyne believes boss Chris Coleman deserves a lot of credit for managing to foster that togetherness in an international squad.

“Credit to Chris and the backroom staff there, he’s got the lads together, it’s very difficult to do,” he said.

“When you’re working at a club day in and day out you try and get that team spirit, but he only has them for a small time each year so to get them that close is brilliant.

“He was playing when I made my debut and he was a heart on his sleeve player, he’s so passionate about his country and it’s rubbing off. The lads have gone with him.”

Meanwhile Burnley are set to add 19-year-old striker Jamie Thomas to their development squad.

The Wales under-19 international was surprisingly released by Bolton Wanderers at the end of the 2015/16 season despite an impressive goalscoring record at youth level.