BURNLEY'S Steve Jones is confident he can be the answer to Northern Ireland's goal drought.

The 29-year-old forward is one of three Clarets players called up to the international squad for the friendly against Finland.

He will be joined by team-mates Michael Duff and promising striker Kyle Lafferty for the warm-up match tonight in Helsinki.

Lawrie Sanchez's side failed to score in their two-game tour of the United States earlier this year, going down 1-0 and 2-0 in May to Uruguay and Romania respectively.

But Jones has settled in quickly at Burnley after signing a three-year deal in the summer following his move from Crewe.

The lively frontman scored two second half goals on his league debut against QPR to get the Clarets' season off to a flier.

And with a Euro 2008 qualifier against Iceland just around the corner on September 2, the striker is aiming to take his good form at domestic level into the international arena.

He said: "It is another good opportunity for me.

"I am pleased to be back in the squad and would like to think I am established in the set-up now.

"It may only be a friendly against Finland but the next game being against Iceland, we were looking for similar opposition.

"The qualifiers are at the forefront of everyone's minds now and this should provide a similar style of play that will be good for us."

Clarets manager Steve Cotterill has already praised Jones on his start to the season and the partnership he has already struck up with fellow new-signing Andy Gray.

Jones this week returned the compliment and admitted his game could only improve at Turf Moor under the manager.

He said: "Crewe offered me a four-year extension in November but I wanted a fresh challenge and I am delighted to have come to such a big club.

"Steve Cotterill sold Burnley to me. Obviously he is hopeful for the future and I think we can do good things.

"I would like to think I'm a guy who can bring a lot of pace and goals to the team."

And Cotterill said the whole club was behind their international stars although he hoped they would all return home safely for their home match against Wolves on Saturday.

He said: "We're delighted about their call-ups and it's a big opportunity for all three of them.

"I think they were a bit disappointed to just be on the stand-by list but obviously they have had good starts to the season and they have all earned their call-ups."