Sam Vokes will be a success in the Premier League, says Wales manager Chris Coleman
Saturday 26 March 2016 14:55, UK
Wales manager Chris Coleman believes Sam Vokes will make his mark on the Premier League next year, if Burnley secure promotion this season.
Vokes has helped spearhead Burnley's push for an immediate return to the Premier League this season and has scored 10 goals in his last 14 matches to send his side four points clear at the top of the Sky Bet Championship with only eight matches remaining.
The 26-year-old forward missed the majority of Burnley's 2014-15 campaign in the top-flight after tearing his cruciate knee ligaments towards the end of the club's promotion winning season.
Vokes failed to score in the Premier League on his return from injury, with his only goal last season coming against Tottenham in the FA Cup, but Coleman feels a fully-fit Vokes can have an impact at the top level if Burnley clinch promotion in the coming weeks.
"I think he's good enough to play in the Premier League," said Coleman, who started Vokes in Wales' 1-1 friendly draw Northern Ireland on Thursday.
"He's a different type if you think of Premier League strikers, there's not many like Sam.
"We're not really a 4-4-2 team that gets wide and crosses. We need to cross a bit more, especially when he's playing because he likes attacking a cross. We normally build up play and slide passes.
"If we play to his strengths, when he's on the pitch, a little bit more in the last third, throw the ball into the box and trust him, he'll get on the end of a lot of crosses. He's very strong, very powerful, has good timing and when he's at his best and his fittest he's a handful for any centre-back.
"For Sam, he missed that season with his knee injury in the Premier League. I think he sees it now as wanting to make up for that season. Burnley have a great chance of being promoted and if they do I don't see Sam being a third or fourth-choice striker.
"I wouldn't for one minute tell (Burnley manager) Sean Dyche how to do his job, he's doing a great job there. But Sam Vokes on his day can cope in the Premier League."
