IT is a week since Burnley boss Owen Coyle reassured Ade Akinbiyi that he is still an important part of his plans.

And it took the striker just nine minutes at Stamford Bridge to prove why.

The 34-year-old had not featured in the Clarets’ 16 for two months through a combination of injury and the form of young striker Jay Rodriguez.

It was the teenager’s late winner against Fulham in round three of the Carling Cup that has been largely responsible for keeping Akinbiyi out of the matchday picture since.

And the irony surrounding the events of his recall was not lost on of the former Leicester and Stoke City front man.

“I’ve always said whenever I get my chance, I’ll try and take it, same as the other lads," said Akinbiyi, whose equaliser less than 10 minutes after his introduction paved the way for the Clarets to record an incredible penalty shoot-out win over Premier League leaders Chelsea.

“But for Jay Rodriguez, we wouldn’t be here now, he had his chance against Fulham and took the opportunity, and everyone was delighted for him.

“I got a great chance, and I managed to take it.”

Akinbiyi had been linked with a loan move ahead of last week’s trip to Wolves, until Coyle made it clear he wasn’t looking to offload the striker.

His superb finish, in front of 6,100 delirious travelling Burnley fans on Wednesday, put the Clarets on the road to glory and offered more selection problems for his manager when league duty resumes at Queens Park Rangers tomorrow.

Yet, with incredible humility, Akinbiyi admitted he wouldn’t grumble if he had to sit in the stand at Loftus Road.

“I don’t mind if I’m dropped for the next game, to be honest, I’ll just get on with it and try and do my best when I’m called on,” he said.

“In my career, people always seem to say I’m trying to prove people wrong, but I’m just here to prove to myself.

“I’m always going to enjoy playing football all the way to the end of my career.”

In his last season of his current Burnley contract, Akinbiyi has hinted that his 16th year as a professional could be his last.

Nothing is set in stone yet, he is leaving his options open for the time being.

But if it does prove to be the end, Akinbiyi has no doubt that Burnley’s triumph over Chelsea would allow him to bow out on a high.

“It’s one of the best nights of my career, most definitely,” said the 6ft 1ins striker, who helped Norwich knock Bayern Munich out of the UEFA Cup on his career debut in 1993.

“It felt great to score in front of the Burnley fans, and I got a little bit carried away!

“But that’s part of football, enjoying it, and that’s what we did.

“We didn’t sit back, we tried to score goals, and as much as they attacked, we attacked as well.

“We came here relaxed, and you could see that from the performance.

“I thought we deserved the win in the end.”

And Akinbiyi revealed he had extra reason to hail goalkeeper Brian Jensen a hero for his two penalty save.

“I got really nervous as extra time went on, and in the penalties.

“Thankfully Beasty saved the penalty because it was counting down to me! I think I was next in line!”