BURNLEY manager Owen Coyle believes Chris McCann is ready-made for the Premier League, but the midfielder’s only focus is on getting there with the Clarets.

And the 21-year-old gave their play-off push a timely shot in the arm with his winner at home to Wolves on Saturday.

His sixth goal of the season came early against the Championship table-toppers, but a first clean sheet in the league since November 29 meant it was enough to push Burnley to within one point of the top six.

Coyle’s men demonstrated their promotion credentials by outplaying Mick McCarthy's title hopefuls, whose lead has been cut to just three points after recording only one win from nine. And McCann is confident that similar performances will keep the Clarets in the pack.

“We played really well from start to finish, got on top early doors and got the goal early enough, and I thought overall we deserved to win. I thought we were the better team on the day,” said the Dubliner, who headed in Wade Elliott’s right wing cross in the sixth minute.

“I thought (Wolves) would be a lot stronger than they were. We know they’re on a bad run but they’re still a very good side on their day and are capable of beating anybody.

“Every team has a bit of a slump now and again. We went through it.

“It’s bound to happen to every team, and I’m sure they’ll bounce back from it. But I thought we, overall, won the battle from start to finish and earned the right to play, did really well and deserved the result.”

Manager Coyle was fulsome in his praise of McCann, and reiterated his thoughts on the goalscorer's top flight prospects.

“It was a terrific piece of football for the goal; a great cross from Wade Elliott and Chris McCann does what he does best, arriving in the box and it's a great finish,” he said.

“I've said before I think Chris McCann could step in and play in the Premier League tomorrow. Having worked with him, he's getting better all the time.

“He's one of a group of players we have that have shown they can stand toe-to-toe with the very best players that are going about.”

But a modest McCann admitted: “I'd just like to do well here and anything that comes from it is a bonus.

“You've got to take each game as it comes and try to do as well as you can. I know we've played against some big teams this year and done well against them as well, but it's a big step up, it's a different game when you go into the Premier League. But hopefully that's something I'll be able to cope with if I get the chance.

“One day I'd like to play there, hopefully with this club more than anybody else.

“Hopefully we can string a couple of good results together, get back into the top six and hopefully finish in the play-off positions.

“It would be nice to get to Wembley after missing out (in the Carling Cup).”

And, after already improving on his goals return from previous seasons, with a minimum of 15 league and cup games still to play he's hoping there is more to come.

“There's still a long way to go until the end of the season so hopefully I can knock a couple more in. My aim's double figures, but I'll try to get a couple more. That would be nice,” he said, after his winner coincided with a family visit.

“My mum, my gran and grandad and two little brothers were here – so it was great to get a win and to score with my family here to see it.

“That's the second game my mum's seen now.

“I got man of the match the last time she was here (against Sheffield United).

“She should come over more often!”