STEVE Cotterill reckons Burnley winger Wade Elliott is a shining example to those knocking on the door for a starting place.

Elliott has made the right wing position largely his own this season after a string of fine performances down the flank.

Apart from fixtures against Crystal Palace and Birmingham, the 27-year-old has featured in every Championship game, just two coming from the subs' bench.

Although yet to hit the scoresheet, hard-working Elliott has created numerous goals for his team-mates and played a pivitol role in helping steer Burnley to sixth in the league.

Clarets boss Cotterill insists the former Bournemouth man, who celebrates his 28th birthday next week, has earned his rewards after improving aspects of his game over the summer.

"If I'm being honest, I didn't think at the end of last season that Wade Elliott, after 20 games this season, would have started as many games as he has," revealed Cotterill.

"But he went away in the summer and worked very hard at improving his strength, speed and endurance. That's why he is benefitting now. There will be times like the other week when he does get a bit tired and maybe his performance dips.

"But if he can recharge his batteries very quickly then he will get back in the team.

"That's been a credit to Wade. He's been a perfect example of someone who has come in the team and done well this year."

While Elliott has maintained a regular starting place in the Burnley side, fringe players such as Graham Branch, John Spicer and Garreth O'Connor have struggled for a chance to shine.

But Cotterill admits he will continue sticking to a successful line-up that has pushed the Clarets to the Championship's play-off positions.

"I'm not going to change a team that has done so well so far," said Cotterill.

"On the back of a defeat, the one thing you don't do is change what has been predominantly a successful team this year. I have generally stuck by people when they've come in and played well."

Teenage striker Kyle Lafferty is expected to keep his place up front tomorrow as Burnley aim to extend their two-game unbeaten run at Coventry.

Replacing injured marksman Andy Gray, 19-year-old Lafferty showed his prowess in front of goal last Saturday with a stunning 25-yard finish against Ipswich.

And Cotterill is demanding more goals from the Northern Ireland international, insisting it is an area of Lafferty's game that needs improving.

"He has an opportunity of a run in the team, to not only get his fitness up but to score goals," said Cotterill. "That's the one thing we have said to him that he needs to improve on. There's no point in doing all the approach work and not scoring."

He added: "It was important when Andy Gray was in the team that everybody else scored. It's not just when Andy is missing that somebody else has to specifically take the mantle on.

"It's anybody that gets a chance, defenders, midfielders or strikers. But I like the strikers to score because that keeps them going."