CHRIS Eagles admits he is relishing the responsibility of first team football, after his brace against Norwich City cemented Burnley in the play-off positions.

The skilful midfielder scored twice in five second half minutes to extend the Clarets’ unbeaten home run to nine games, and prove to manager Owen Coyle that he is fully equipped for the rigours of Championship football.

Eagles is the first to admit he struggled to adapt immediately after his summer move from Manchester United, where his senior league appearances had been limited to single figures in five years. But, since his return from a three-match ban in September, he has been influential in Burnley picking up 17 points from the last eight league games.

“At United I wasn’t playing so there was no pressure on me producing on the day. Here, I’m in the first team and people are looking up to me, whereas before I was looking up to them,” said Eagles.

“For me this is a bigger stage because I'm playing and people are looking at me and what I can do."

However, he was quick to praise the contribution his team-mates have made towards his current form, in particular left back Stephen Jordan, who is helping Eagles to improve his defensive side of the game, and striker Robbie Blake, who laid on the second goal.

"He (Blake) is not the quickest player but he's so clever and sharp with his touch," said the 22-year-old.

"For me, being a winger and liking to attack players, having him there it's great to play off someone like that because he sees space. I'm not saying other strikers don't but it just seems he knows where to put (the ball).

"If I give it to him he puts it into the space for me to run onto and that's what I love because I'm quicker than most players I play against.

"He's a great player and I love playing with him."

He added: Stephen's a great player, I've known him for years when I was at United. He's a few years older than me but I've played against him in the reserve matches. But I've always liked the way he plays because he always talks to you, and that's all you need - someone to say 'left, right, come back'.

"He's a great example and I just thank him for what he's doing because, without him, I'd be lost."

And Eagles revealed that he is revelling from the support manager Owen Coyle offers to his all-round game.

"What we do in training's starting to show on the pitch now and the gaffer is an attack-minded manager. For me it's brilliant because he just encourages you," he said.

"I'm trying to learn my defensive side of the game and with him encouraging me all the time I don't feel like I'm doing anything wrong. He's always encouraging us and that's why you see everyone with confidence.

"I've loved it since the first week I came here; I just thank the gaffer and all the players I'm playing with because without them I wouldn't be doing well myself and the team wouldn't be doing well."

But he warned against letting designs on the top six become detrimental.

"We can't get too ahead of ourselves. It's a long season, we've just got to carry the results on and if we keep winning and getting points we're just going to climb the table and pull away from everyone else," he continued.

"Every game in this league is difficult, it doesn't matter if you play top or bottom, they're all difficult so we're looking forward to every one and week in, week out we're just going to give 100 per cent.

"Just to win is important. Every point's vital, especially in this league because it's so tight, and to carry on with the results we've been having has been fantastic.

"There's still more to come. We could have won by a lot more (on Saturday). We've just got to take each game as it comes.

"We can't get too much ahead of ourselves thinking about play-offs and going up because that's when the results just start to slide away.

"You've just got to concentrate week in, week out."