STEVE Cotterill is convinced that Richard Chaplow can become Burnley's deadly weapon.

Chaplow, 19, faces Ipswich Town today after opening his England goalscoring account last weekend with a goal for the U20s against Holland.

And Clarets boss Cotterill believes that if Chaplow follows his lead, Burnley will reap the rewards of a Premiership star in the making.

"It was interesting to see how Richard scored for England," explained Cotterill. "We've been talking to him about not arriving in the penalty box too early.

"Because he wants to get goals, he has a tendency to get in the final third early, stand there and then get marked as a striker.

"But when, as he did against Cardiff and Crewe, he arrives in the box as that third man running it is very, very difficult to pick his run up because he's nobody's responsibility once he's beyond their midfield player.

"We've spoken to him about doing that more often, but he is maturing every day and he's a great young lad to work with.

"There's no doubt he will go on to play in the Premiership. Hopefully not just yet from our point of view!"

Chaplow is the first to admit he needs to improve his goals ratio for Burnley. The Accrington-born teenager scored five goals last season in his first full year as a professional, and is eager to double that tally this time out.

He admitted: "I started out a little slow this season, but I've got two (goals) under my belt now and I'm looking for many more.

"At the start of the season I set myself a target of ten and I really want to achieve that as it would be a good return for an attacking midfielder.

"I feel it's good to set yourself targets and give yourself something to aim for. If you are going to do that, you have to aim high and also realistically and I genuinely feel I can contribute 10 goals to this team.

"I will always get opportunities to score by keep making the runs and the way we play, with a 4-1-4-1 system and Tony Grant playing the anchor role, that gives me more freedom to bomb on."

Meanwhile, Ipswich Town manager Joe Royle today lamented the loss of John McGreal, who turned down the offer of a new one-year contract at Portman Road to stiffen up Burnley's spine.

Ahead of today's Championship clash between the two sides, Royle said: "Of all the players that left in the summer I was most disappointed with John's departure.

"I really saw him alongside Jason de Vos, Richard Naylor or even all three together to give us a great base, so I was sad when he left. But he went to Burnley for more security and I understand that."

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