GIFTON Noel-Williams will remain on the transfer list despite his stunning hat-trick over Barnsley.

The 26-year-old striker looked to be on his way out of Turf Moor after being placed on the list at the end of last season and courting the interest of several suitors.

But Tuesday night's sensational second-half treble - which helped sink the Tykes 4-2 - has boosted his chances of enjoying a bright future with the Clarets.

However, Burnley boss Steve Cotterill is not taking him off the list.

Cotterill said: "If I take him off and he has a shocker on Saturday, what would I do then, put him back on the list on Monday?

"That's how it is at this moment in time. I would imagine he would not want to go anywhereanyway.

"Also, someone wanted to buy him for £20,000, the fee has just gone up!"

Noel-Williams has tasted a range of emotions from Clarets supporters over the past week.

On Saturday, he was booed by a section of fans after making his entrance as a substitute against Colchester.

But supporters raised the roof for Noel-Williams on Tuesday, giving him a standing ovation ashe made his way off the pitch.

Cotterill added: "Supporters don't just turn on somebody. Gifton hasn't always worked the hardest. That's a minimum requirement - to work hard.

"But he's got about the field, held the ball up and took a lot of buffeting. I thought hetook some weight off Andy Gray on Saturday and he did the same again.

"But he has to do a shift, make no bones about it. Whilst he's everybody's hero (from Tuesday night) and people will have a different opinion of him, if he doesn't do it on Saturday, then I'll be after him!

"He needs to make sure he keeps that work ethic. Perhaps the fans weren't quite sure about him, because he can look big and he can look cumbersome.

"It was his night and it was great for him. He deserves to have it and everybody is pleased for him. Long may that continue."

Before Tuesday's heroics, Noel-Williams managed just two goals in 35 previous Burnley appearances and, towards the end of last season, went on loan to Brighton.

But he is intent on building on his hat-trick and hopes for a starting place on Saturday, as the Clarets travel to his former club Stoke.

"I would love to start on Saturday, but you never know what's going to happen," said Noel-Williams.

"If I start, hopefully I can grab another couple and then, happy days.

"I'm looking forward to Stoke now. Going back to any of your old clubs is always a good occasion and maybe I have timed this well.

"Last season was a hard time for me on the pitch.

"I just came back and thought to myself I'm on the transfer list and I'm going to stay on there as long as I'm on it'.

"I had to get on with my work and train hard really. I've got on with it and I try to smile every day. Hopefully, this is the change of things.

"Me and the gaffer have had a lot of conversations and sorted out a few things. He's given me my chance and hopefully now I can kick on."