Payton scored more than 200 goals during his career

Former Burnley striker Andy Payton says it is crucial the Clarets build their future round a nucleus of talented youngsters at the club.

Payton, who played for the Clarets from 1998-2003, told BBC Radio Lancashire: "We've got a young, up and coming team.

"We need to keep them and sign a few more and we'll have a bright future.

"We need to keep players like Chris McCann, and then try to sign Jack Cork [who spent last season at Turf Moor on loan from Chelsea]."

"We've also got Jay Rodriguez up front who could really develop into something special. Martin Paterson's coming back and he's a young lad too."

With 20 years' experience at professional level, I really do believe that I can pass so much more on to kids Andy Payton on his management aspirations

Payton scored 82 goals for the club, including 27 in the 1999/2000 promotion season.

And having previously coached Burnley Ladies he says his long-term aim is to take a more hands on role in the professional game.

"I definitely want to step up to management," said the Padiham-born 43-year-old.

"I've got my level one and level two coaching badges which I did at Hull City under Brian Horton [currently assistant manager at Preston].

"But with 20 years' experience at professional level, I really do believe that I can pass so much more on to kids with having played over 500 games.

"You have to live those experiences to be able to pass that knowledge on."

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