GRAHAM Alexander believes Clarets powerhouse Ade Akinbiyi is more than capable of filling the targetman void vacated by Andy Gray.

Akinbiyi made only his fourth Championship start of the season on Saturday, and he grabbed his chance to shine with a lionheart performance in Burnley's excellent 2-1 win at Coventry City.

The 33-year-old - who also scored the opening goal at the Ricoh Arena - was given his big opportunity following Gray's £1.5 million exit to Charlton on Friday.

And he went some way to convincing Owen Coyle that he has another ready-made targetman at Turf Moor, as the Clarets manager looks to spend the money re-couped on Gray.

Akinbiyi's fighting display alongside match-winner Robbie Blake certainly impressed Burnley's stand-in skipper Graham Alexander, who spoke of his admiration for the giant Londoner.

"We were all sad to see Andy go because he was a fantastic player for us," said the veteran defender. "We all wish him the best in his career now at Charlton "But it's a chance for someone else to take their turn now.

"Ade came in and scored a great goal. I thought he was fantastic.

"You know what you're going to get with Ade. He's going to give you everything he's got when he crosses that white line.

"That was certainly the case (at Coventry), because he played up front on his own, chasing all sorts of balls and he gave their back two a real hard time."

Alexander added: "I've played against Ade on nummerous occasions over the last 10 or 15 years and he's a nightmare.

"You take a touch as a defender and you know he's going to be breathing down your neck.

"He puts you on the spot and he gives you that for the team. He works so hard and his finish was the icing on the cake."

Alexander believes Burnley are now back on track in the Championship following their disastrous New Year's Day humbling at Blackpool.

The Clarets dished up a terrible display at Bloomfield Road, but the former Preston defender reckons that defeat has proved a watershed moment in Burnley's campaign "We had a poor spell with home results in December and that put us down the table," said the 36-year-old. "But ever since the Arsenal game, we have played well.

"I think the Blackpool game was a bit of an awakening for people.

"We let ourselves down badly there, but the response has been really good and the six points we've got since have been fully deserved."