OWEN Coyle has admitted Robbie Blake is posing one of his biggest selection problems this season.

The Burnley boss has had the likes of Chris Eagles, Kevin McDonald and Remco van der Schaaf, among others, banging on the first team door in recent weeks.

But after Blake has come off the bench to engineer two wins from the last three games, Coyle admitted he is finding it increasingly tough to leave the striker out.

The decision may be taken out of his hands for this afternoon’s home game against Norwich City (kick-off 3pm), after the 32-year-old was sent home before training on Thursday with a bug, although he took part in yesterday’s session along with fellow virus victim Michael Duff.

But Coyle knows a fully-fit Blake, who scored a superb winner against Reading in midweek, is a lethal asset to have in his armoury, particularly as the Clarets have emerged as one of the Championship sides most likely to go on to win when drawing at half-time.

“Robbie’s desperate to be playing, which I love,” said the Burnley manager.

“If players weren’t coming to say to me they want to be in the team then I think we’ve got a real problem.

“But the fact they do all want to be in that starting 11 is great, and as I’ve said to them, all they can keep doing is, when they get the opportunity, show it on the pitch and leave me with really tough decisions.

“Even aside from his goal, we know Robbie’s a quality player and always has been.

“He reminds me very much of myself on the training ground, the way he loves getting about and being on the ball, and it’s difficult to leave that type of player out of your team because you know what they can bring.

“But we have to get the balance of the right player for a particular game and Pato and Thommo (Martin Paterson and Steven Thompson) have been doing ever so well.

“Chris Eagles had to be patient and he’s been maybe fortuitous in terms of how we changed the system the other night that allowed him to come in and play.

“What we do know is the opportunity’s going to come around and when it does you have to make sure you’re at your best.”

Meanwhile, Coyle has urged defender Stephen Jordan to show his Premier League class on a consistent basis.

The 26-year-old, who signed on a free transfer from Manchester City in July last year, was at fault for Charlton’s equaliser at The Valley last weekend, but recovered to help secure a valuable clean sheet against Reading, where he played at both centre half and left back.

“We know Stephen’s capable, that’s why he played at Manchester City and did very well for a period there,” said Coyle. “He’s got everything in his armoury to be a top player, but only Stephen can bring that when he crosses that white line.

“It’s not about chatting about it, it’s about going and delivering on it, and when he does that he looks a very accomplished player.”