EIGHTEEN months ago, Chris Eagles made his full Premier League debut for Manchester United against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

It was an opportunity the young attacking midfielder had waited almost four years for after graduating from the Reds’ youth team.

But he insists he does not regret his decision to leave his first club for Burnley in the summer.

“Not for a second. I love my team-mates and everything about the club and whatever happens in the future will take care of itself,” he said.

“I just want to concentrate on one game at a time for Burnley because I love the club.”

And Eagles revealed the Clarets fans - 6,100 of which will be right behind their team’s bid for a Carling Cup upset tonight – have been a major factor in him feeling right at home at Turf Moor.

“I don’t know too much about the history of Burnley but the fans have been brilliant since I’ve been here. That’s why I love the club even more,” he said.

“The draw’s brilliant for the club, and the town.

“It’s a special occasion just to be going down there but to get a win would make it even better.

“Chelsea are one of the best teams in the world at the moment, but we’ve just got to go there and do what we’ve been doing.

“But we have to take our chances more.”

And Eagles is looking forward to the opportunity to compete with a player he held in great esteem as a child.

“I used to watch Joe Cole when I was a youngster,” he said.

“He was 16 and I was 11, and he was one of my role models when he was coming through West Ham’s youth teams. I was around the London clubs.

“I’ve just got respect for all the players down there. I do like the way Chelsea play.”