TURF Moor's lethal weapon Kurt Nogan is closing in on Mick Conroy's 1991/92 goalscoring harvest.

Red-hot Nogan has 16 Endsleigh League goals in the bag and already his destructive fire-power inside the penalty box has put him in sight of Conroy's 24-goal haul in the season the Clarets clinched the Fourth Division championship.

And, as Burnley's record-signing stalks for league and cup goal number 22 against Oxford United at Turf Moor tonight, he has an eagle-eye on a mighty thirty-something return before the curtain comes down next May.

"I have not made a hard and fast target, but with nearly half the season left I would like to think I could score 30. That would be nice," said Nogan.

"I'm definitely having my best season as a professional footballer from a scoring and consistency level point of view. In turn, that has given me plenty of confidence to score goals.

"I've managed 21 in league and cup matches so far and I really feel in good nick. I just want to keep my head down and continue trying to score as many goals for Burnley as possible. "My club form with Burnley is extremely important to me. That is my bread and butter. I'm constantly striving to improve my game."

Nogan is still fresh from his international adventure against Italy last week. He watched from the bench as Italy teased and tormented Wales in rain-soaked Terni.

That the Azurri only pierced the Welsh defence three times, with goals from Alessandro Del Piero, Fabrio Ravanelli and Pierluigi Casiraghi, was, apparently, down more to the state of the saturated surface at the Stadio Libero Liberati than the Welsh resistance.

"The Italians were on another another planet and technically a lot superior," added Nogan.

"Their skill and poise on the ball was remarkable. We never got out of our own half in the first forty minutes. Italy just dominated everything.

"I have never seen a team come out as quick and fast and squeeze up as they did."

But with the words of encouragement from manager Bobby Gould ringing in his ears, Nogan could get another opportunity in the Wales squad with a friendly in Malta already pencilled into the diary for March. "I really don't know what will happen the next time a squad is announced," he added.

"It was fantastic to be involved for your country. I am a Cardiff-born lad and an international call-up for Wales is a great honour. There are a lot of top class players in front of me in the Wales squad. I think, maybe, Bobby Gould would have given me a little run-out as substitute before now if I was in his long-term plans.

"He has said a lot of encouraging things about me but I'm not so sure what the international future with Wales holds for me. I'm not going to give up though. If I keep on scoring then Bobby Gould will keep on watching me.

"Italy was an amazing experience. Now, though, I just want to concentrate on scoring more goals for Burnley and to try and win promotion to the first division."

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