DANNY Ings is aiming to establish himself as a first choice striker for Burnley, whether Charlie Austin remains a Claret or not.

The club’s top scorer travelled to Cork with the rest of the squad on Thursday following the collapse of his Premier League move to newly promoted Hull City earlier in the week.

With suitors Reading and Nottingham Forest understood to have retained an interest in Austin – albeit at a cut-price deal after the Tigers pulled out at the 11th hour on Monday night on the strength of a failed medical – it is possible that the striker could still leave Turf Moor before the end of the summer transfer window.

The Clarets are keen to avoid such that outcome however, and with the 24-year-old still under contract for another year are looking into the possibility of securing an extension for the former Swindon Town hotshot, who lit up the Championship with 28 goals in 40 league and cup games last year.

But whatever happens with Austin, Ings is determined to nail down a main striking role this season.

Martin Paterson’s exit for Huddersfield Town has already left Burnley lighter in the attacking department.

Kevin Davies had been targeted as a replacement in the event of Austin leaving.

However, Ings is ready to show manager Sean Dyche that the answer to his striking options is already in-house.

“I’m hoping I can fill those boots,” said Ings, who suffered a second serious knee injury in less than 12 months last summer but recovered to play a key part in Burnley’s late push up a compact table.

“I feel like I’m a striker so hopefully I will get that opportunity to play there.

“I’m not sure if the manager is going to bring another striker in or not. If he does, he does. But we will just fight for our place.”