Burnley forward Chris Eagles has been singled out as the one to watch as the R`s host Burnley later today.
The former Manchester United youngster made his way to Old Trafford from his home town club Watford, in a deal that saw Danny Webber eventually move in the other direction.
With Alex Ferguson seeing great potential he signed Eagles up at the tender age of 14, but he was kept waiting three years for a first team opportunity.
In October 2003 Manchester United travelled to Leeds United in the League Cup and prevailed in extra time – Eagles was introduced as a debutante at the expense of now Sunderland winger Kieran Richardson.
Later on that season United succumbed to defeat in the cup away at West Bromwich Albion, with Eagles coming off the bench once more in place of Cristiano Ronaldo.
With first team opportunities hard to come by Chris was sent out on loan to Watford in January 2005 where he bagged one goal in 13 appearances. Later that calendar year he was sent on loan to Sheffield Wednesday where he made 25 appearances scoring three goals – one of which against rivals Leeds United.
For the second half of the 2005/06 season the 6 foot forward was farmed out to Watford once more where he made 19 appearances scoring three goals, one of which earned him the goal of the season for Watford, as he struck a tremendous effort from distance.
This goal can be viewed below:
Eagles started the new campaign in Holland on loan to NEC Nijmegen where he made 11 appearances, the majority of which coming from the bench, so he opted to return late that year.
He then scored his first goal for Manchester United at the back end of the season, to help sew up the Premier League title for the Red Devils, netting the final in a 4-2 win over Everton.
Once again after a spell on the sidelines, Eagles moved onto pastures new, choosing to sign for Burnley in the summer transfer window for an undisclosed fee. The wandering loanee had found himself at home but he got off to the worst possible start with a 4-1 loss away at Sheffield Wednesday.
Worse was to come as he was given his marching orders by Mr Oliver in a 0-0 home draw to Plymouth Argyle. However as he got back to form, so to did Burnley as he bagged a goal in a derby win against bitter rivals Preston North End, before another away at Coventry City.
His crowning moment so far this season has been a brace to help the Clarets to a 2-0 home win over Norwich. This and more makes Chris Eagles one to watch not only for this fixture, but for the remainder of the campaign.
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