GARY Parkinson's celebrated winner against Stockport County in the 1994 play-off final stands out as the leading highlight of his professional career, writes TONY DEWHURST.

But the dependable Clarets defender reckons his inclusion in the Professional Players' Association Second Division team runs that Wembley experience very close.

Parkinson and big pal David Eyres rubbed shoulders with Alan Shearer and co when the awards were dished out at London's swish Grosvenor Hotel on Sunday.

"The award is right up there with the Wembley goal - and probably equals that experience," said Parkinson who lines up against Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park tonight.

"It is a great honour and the ultimate accolade for a player because your fellow professionals have voted for you and recognised what you have done.

"It is nice to think that my opponents think I'm the best right-sided full back in Division Two. That has made me very proud indeed.

"You have to savour moments like these when they come along in football and it is an honour that I'll treasure forever."

After wrestling with a troublesome hamstring injury last season, a difficulty Parkinson admits resulted in a loss of confidence, the right-sided wing back is firing on all cylinders. Yet his future is still far from secure at Burnley. He remains on a week-to-week contract after his two-year deal expired last summer.

Now he hopes this national recognition will earn the 29-year-old a new Turf Moor contract.

"I've said before that I want to finish my career at Turf Moor and I've not changed my mind about that," added Parkinson. "I'm just hoping to get something sorted out because I need to know where my future lies.

"I've played all the season out of contract and I think I've done as well as anybody.

"I'm more than happy to stay at Burnley because I'm very fond of the club. I'm just hoping something can be sorted out. I've really enjoyed my football this season and the role has suited my game.

"The wing-back system, with David on the left, has worked pretty well this season."

Eyres was moved into a supplementary attacking role at Stockport, supporting Paul Barnes in the front line.

That meant Chris Vinnciombe retained the number three shirt and the left-sided wing-back role.

Parkinson, though, despite Burnley's narrow 1-0 defeat Stockport, still reckons the Clarets have a fair chance of claiming one of the six play-off places.

"It was a big defeat for us at Stockport but we are still in there with a great shout," he added.

"We know what we need - and that is a minimum of three wins from our last four games. That would put us on 72 points and, hopefully, that should be enough.

"Tonight will be no different to the Stockport match. Wycombe may be at the other end of the table but they are fighting for their lives.

"They've put together a fantastic run lately and must be the form team in the division right now.

"We've had some great away results in the last couple of months, but our consistency levels have probably let us down.

"Still, I've just got a feeling that our season could go right down the the wire against Watford on the final day of the season."

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