Burnley FC can't let Blackburn Rovers steal a march in Liverpool striker race | OneFootball

Burnley are in desperate need of a striker and could look at Jayden Danns as a potential option

It's hard to pick too many holes in Burnley's season so far, as the Clarets are firmly in the thick of the automatic promotion race and have already broken one long-standing second tier record.

Scott Parker's side have conceded the fewest goals at this stage of a second tier season in history, and while that is mightily impressive, at the other end of the pitch, they've endured some struggles.

Burnley certainly aren't among the most prolific sides in the division, far from it in fact, and the fact they scored nine goals in their first two league games of the season somewhat masks a huge issue.

Those goals were scored when the side looked completely different to how it does now, and if you discount those goals from back in early August, the Clarets have actually scored less than a goal per game on average.

That undoubtedly suggests that their defence is the main reason for their lofty position, but fortunately for Parker, the January transfer window affords him the chance to bolster his attacking ranks.

A striker like Jayden Danns has to be top of Scott Parker's wishlist

Parker has swooped to sign one striker already this month, bringing back Ashley Barnes from Norwich City, but it's universally acknowledged he's come in for his off-field impact rather than his on-field.

Barnes brings with him promotion experience for in and around the dressing room, but to stay in the promotion race, Burnley are going to need a clinical striker this month.

Burnley need an actual striker, someone with the instinct to make the right runs, be in the right place at the right time and be in the box for those teasing deliveries, and Jayden Danns could be that man.

Danns has all the hallmarks you'd expect of a modern day striker - he's quick, strong, links play up nicely and above all, he can put the ball in the back of the net.

Football League World exclusively revealed that Blackburn Rovers were in the race to sign Danns earlier this month, and Burnley shouldn't let their fierce rivals, who are also searching for promotion, steal a march on them in this race.

Both clubs are actively trying to sign a number nine, but with so much on the line for Burnley, they can't afford to let a player like this slip through the net, particularly to a rival in more ways than one.

A striker looks to be the missing piece of the Burnley puzzle

Parker has persisted with Zian Flemming up front for most of the season, while Lyle Foster and Jay Rodriguez have both also flitted in and out of the position, but it's fair to say that none of the three have made a meaningful mark.

The Clarets have been involved in a raft of 0-0 draws this season, and in all, with the possible exception of Friday night's clash with Sunderland, they'll feel they could've won with a proper number nine there to put chances away.

A striker won't miraculously solve every problem, some of Burnley's other creative players need to shoulder some of the blame too as they've also fallen short in creating chances.

Ultimately, a team playing without an out-and-out number nine can't be overly surprised that they aren't scoring lots of goals.

Acquiring Danns would certainly help solve one of their biggest issues, but they'll have to beat off a lot of Championship competition to land him.

That includes from their fierce rivals, and after getting the upper hand of them on the field earlier this month, beating them to the signing of Danns would be another crushing psychological blow to Rovers, who themselves desperately need a striker.