One to Watch – Danny Ings

Name: Danny Ings

Date of Birth: 16/3/1992

Nationality: England

Former Clubs: Bournemouth, Dorchester Town

League Appearances (Goals): 134 (42)

International Appearances (Goals): 0 (0)

Stat of the Day: Danny Ings has scored four goals in his last six Premier League appearances, having failed to score in his first five

Player Profile: There`s a simmering rivalry between Burnley and QPR strikers` Danny Ings & Charlie Austin; it was Ings who replaced Austin as Burnley`s star man following the former Swindon man`s departure to QPR and both fought a tightly contested battle to triumph in the goalscoring charts last Championship campaign. They now face each other again in the Premier League, both currently finding the net with the ease they were recognised for last season having stuttered early on against Premier League opposition, as well as both harbouring aspirations of eventual international recognition. Ings` potential exploded into life last campaign and whilst his goalscoring boots may have taken some time to adapt to Premier League life, four goals in his last six games have given Burnley renewed hope of avoiding immediate relegation.

The striker`s rise from talented prospect to star man at the small Lancashire town club is commendable, especially given his career was threatened with recurring knee injuries a few years ago. His improving talent has not gone unnoticed though and the vultures are already circling, given the 22-year-old`s contract is set to expire at the end of this season. Burnley will be desperate not to lose their best player for a cut-price in the January sales, as Burnley`s hopes of avoiding relegation rests on the goalscoring form and never-say-die attitude of the ex-Bournemouth striker. Ings vs Austin goes through another round on Saturday, with the winner giving their side an improved chance of avoiding the dreaded drop.

Player History:

Danny Ings was born in Southampton and signed a two year apprenticeship contract at Bournemouth in May 2008, having progressed through the club`s Centre of Excellence. He made his professional debut in 2009 in the Football League Trophy against Northampton.

In September 2010 Ings was sent out on loan to Conference South side Dorchester Town. His stay at The Avenue Stadium led to 4 league goals in 9 appearances; however, in November his loan spell was cut short due to an injury crisis at parent club Bournemouth. He made his league debut and first start for The Cherries in December 2010 and soon became a first team regular, scoring his first goal for his club in February 2011 against Swindon.

He continued to impress at Dean Court and was soon linked with a move to the likes of Celtic and Liverpool. In August 2011 he joined former manager Eddie Howe at Burnley who signed the striker for a fee in the region of £1 million on a four-year contract.

A week into his move to Turf Moor he was unfortunately ruled out for five months due to a knee injury and it wasn`t until last season, following the departure of Charlie Austin, that Ings was given his chance as the number one striker. He duly repaid the faith shown in him by his manager as he netted 26 goals in all competitions ensuring Burnley`s promotion to the Premier League, earning the Championship Player of the Year accolade along the way.