GIFTON Noel-Williams has been taken off the transfer-list following his return to Burnley's starting line-up.

The 26-year-old striker looked set to leave Turf Moor after being placed on the list at the end of last season.

But after a string of good recent performances in a Clarets shirt, which included a superb match-winning hat-trick against Barnsley, the big striker's future now lies in East Lancashire.

Noel-Williams is the second Burnley player to be removed from the list this season, following in the footsteps of midfielder Micah Hyde who was withdrawn after the opening day Championship victory over QPR.

Clarets manager Steve Cotterill made the decision following not only recent displays from the former Watford man, but his hard work this season.

"Since Gifton has come back, he has worked harder than he did last year," said Cotterill.

"That has been a vital ingredient and probably why his performances have been better than last year.

"I also didn't want to have one player on the transfer list because it's like he will be alienated.

"We are more than happy that he is staying and we are more than happy with his performances."

During the summer and before the transfer deadline, Noel-Williams courted interest from several clubs.

And in the last fortnight, he has experienced a full range of emotions from Clarets supporters.

He was booed by a section of fans when coming on during Burnley's 2-1 home defeat to Colchester, but supporters were chanting his name following his treble over Barnsley three days later.

After making his first Clarets start in eight months in last Saturday's 1-0 victory at Stoke - and now seeing his name off the transfer-list - Noel-Williams is looking forward to a fresh start at Turf Moor.

He said: "I suppose it did come as a shock really. All the time I have been on the transfer list I have just tried to ignore it as much as possible and concentrate on my football.

"I came back in pre-season, just put my head down and got on with my work and it's paid off so far.

"I'm delighted to be off the list now and hopefully I can stay in the team for as long as possible and show the gaffer, the supporters and myself that I deserve to be off the list and playing.

"However, I need to be doing that over a long period of time. I realise it's not just enough to do it for two or three games.

"I know what I have to do and scoring goals is part of it, but there are other things team wise as well and I think people will hopefully appreciate the other side of my game more now."

Noel-Williams is expected to retain his place in Burnley's starting line-up today when they host Southampton.

Provided results go their way, Burnley could climb to the top of the Championship by 5pm this afternoon.