SAM Vokes is determined to prove he is a Premier League player over the final nine matches of the season after getting his first start in the top flight.

The Wales international’s previous 19 Premier League appearances for Burnley and Wolves had been as a substitute.

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On Saturday he was given his first league start since injuring his knee at Turf Moor almost 12 months ago, and admitted his rehab had been all worthwhile now he had got that first top flight start of his career.

"It was brilliant,” he said. “It was great to get back out there and what a game to get it on. It was a massive result.

"There's been a lot of stepping stones in building for my return and it's great to get back to a win. It's been a long road back so it was nice to almost get 90 minutes and the three points as well.

"That's what I did in my rehab; building back towards this. This is a chance for me to prove myself at this level now”

Vokes scored 21 times last season before his season was ended on March 29, forming a formidable strike partnership with the 26 goal Danny Ings.

On Saturday the pair were reunited for the first time in a year, but with Ings likely to leave the club this summer they may have only nine more games together before the partnership is broken up for good, and Vokes is hoping they can gel again between now and the end of the campaign.

"Obviously we did well together last year, now I'm back from injury it's great to get back alongside him,” said the 25-year-old. “We've also got Barnesy in the team who has been doing well too.

"It would be great to get that partnership going again. We've got nine games left of the season now so if we can keep going and reunite that form then it would be great.”

Vokes’ recall came in place of Michael Kightly, with Barnes moved to the left and joining the attack whenever possible, as Sean Dyche looked to go on the attack against the defending champions Manchester City.

"It was very attacking,” said Vokes. “Against a team like that you see a lot of sides sitting back but we went at them from the first minute and took the game to them. It paid off in the end.

"We showed it last year. We don't hold back even when we're playing in the big games. We go into games with the mentality that all teams are the same. We attacked them and it's paid off.”

That victory means the Clarets have lost just once in four games and Chelsea and City this season, yet they remain in the relegation zone with nine games to go.

“All this year we've done well against the top teams,” said Vokes. “It's the other games in the league where we need to pick up points.

“We got some more tough games coming up so we can definitely take the confidence from this into those games.

“They are the champions of this league and we've done it home and away this year. They've been massive results for us.

"The lads were in the changing room saying it's affected a lot of things at the top and bottom of this league. That's what we want to do. Hopefully we can take that confidence into the next few games."