Divisive figure will lose Burnley FC place if numbers don’t follow Oxford United showing | OneFootball

Can the Clarets star keep his place in the starting XI? 👀

Burnley's excellent defensive record means that they are still in the hunt for one of the automatic places in the Championship, with Scott Parker's side chasing an immediate return to the Premier League but goals will have to start flying in sooner rather than later if they are to put real pressure on Sheffield United and Leeds United.

An incredible ten 0-0 outings this season means that the club have only conceded nine goals in the entire season, with the east Lancashire outfit failing to concede two or more goals in a league match all season but that has come at a cost. With local rivals Blackburn Rovers being the only other top half outfit to have scored less than the Clarets this season, their forward line needs to improve - and that includes Lyle Foster.

The South African attacker signed for the Clarets two years ago under Vincent Kompany, and despite mainly featuring in substitute appearances in his half-season in the Championship, he took to the Premier League with ease before being ruled out for a period of time with five goals in 24 games. However, this season has seen Foster somewhat struggle for the Clarets. 17 appearances in the Championship have seen him score just once, in the east Lancashire derby vs Blackburn - making it 12 appearances without a goal since.

Lyle Foster's performances must be turned into goals for Burnley

It's clear that Foster is a divisive figure at Burnley. Naturally a striker, he's been out on the left-wing in recent games, and impressed against Oxford United in midweek - but missed two glaring opportunities to put the Clarets a goal up against the U's, in which they finally benefitted from an own goal on home soil - their first goal at home in four outings.

He was tipped to be Burnley's leading striker at the start of the campaign, and was in fine form to begin with a superb assist against Luton Town on the opening day of the season, alongside his header against Blackburn but from there, his numbers have not been great.

He will need to add goals and assists to those impressive performances like he turned out against Oxford for two reasons; one being that Burnley simply cannot afford not to score in the run-in if they are to go up, especially with fellow promotion-chasing sides Leeds and Sunderland scoring at will.

Winger additions could force Lyle Foster out of the team if he doesn't improve

Additionally, there are other wingers able to take his place in the starting lineup. Winter signing Marcus Edwards and Turf Moor king Manuel Benson are both almost ready to feature for the first team, and that could push Jaidon Anthony, Jeremy Sarmiento and Luca Koleosho into the running for wing spots - thus rendering Foster surplus to requirements out wide.

He would then battle Zian Flemming for a starting spot but with the Dutchman having scored five goals in his last 10 games for the club, he doesn't look like being dropped from the lineup any time soon.

The prizes for promotion are insane, and will be vital to Burnley if they do achieve promotion either through the play-offs or automatic places but that is only likely to be achieved with constant goals, which Foster knows he must contribute towards if he is to return to his favoured top flight.