WHO is Colin Carr-Lawton?

Plucked out of the junior ranks, the 17-year-old striker has suddenly found himself the focus of Turf Moor attention.

The Clarets youngster, a second year YTS, has recently claimed a place in Adrian Heath's first-team squad.

But, to the majority of Burnley fans, his identity remains a mystery.

The tale began when Jimmy Mullen's father spotted Carr-Lawton playing for a Sunday League team in Jarrow.

The then Burnley chief invited him for trials at Turf Moor. Youth team coach Terry Pashley takes up the story.

"Jimmy's dad saw him in Sunday League football. He'd never even played at non-league level and he hadn't even had any decent coaching.

"But he definitely had potential and he's come on a heck of a lot. He needs to improve his goal ratio but he's a young lad with a lot of promise. "When you look at the competition in front of him he's done really well to force himself into contention ahead of Phil Eastwood and Ian Duerden."

Carr-Lawton landed one of three substitute roles against Bury, Bristol City and Charlton with the Clarets resources stretched to breaking point because of injuries.

Although Carr-Lawton didn't feature in any of the three games, manager Adrian Heath believes he's a definite name for the future.

"We've really high hopes for him and I believe he can go on and make a name for himself in the game," said the Clarets chief as he prepared for tomorrow's clash at struggling Rotherham.

"He's a good goalscorer and has got a tremendous physique for a young lad. He's quick and he's got good movement. He's going to be an Alan Smith type player.

"But most of all he's got a good eye for goal and he's a quick learner. You tell him something and next time you watch him he's picked it up.

"He's got an awful lot of work to do yet but we really do think he can become a good player.

A native North-Easterner, Carr-Lawton caught the manager's eye with a series of bubbling A team performances.

Then Heath was subsequently impressed with his performance when the teenager netted one of Burnley's goals in the Pontins League fixture at Wrexham.

"He did well the few times I had watched him on Saturday mornings and I liked what I saw," added Heath.

"We put him on at Wrexham. His general link-up play was excellent and he showed he was bright. When we were down to the bare bones through injury I got him involved with the first team with a place on the bench.

"He doesn't look out of place when he trains with the first team. The most important thing is that he wants to learn.

"Providing he keeps his feet on the ground then he'll have a terrific professional career."

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