International FootballTop Stories

What a former Brighton star told Lyle Foster about the Premier League

Lyle Foster’s voice was filled with excitement as he spoke about the prospect of competing on a big stage, revealing what a former Brighton star told him about playing in the Premier League.

And with Burnley FC on the verge of sealing a return to the English Premier League, Foster is as happy as a dog with two tails.

Burnley FC are 13 points clear at the top of the Championship log standings with nine matches still left to be played.

The soft-spoken Burnley FC striker, Foster, shares the changing room with players who have had the thrills and taste of Premier League football.

With Burnley FC’s promotion to the Premier League-bound to happen, Foster has divulged what veteran forward Ashley Barnes told him about scoring in England’s top flight.

Barnes is an experienced campaigner with 42 goals and six assists in over 200 appearances in the Premier League.

THE FEELING OF SCORING IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Foster said the 33-year-old Barnes shared with him the feeling of scoring in the Premier League, an emotion he also wants to experience.

Lyle Foster of Burnley FC playing hard
Lyle Foster

“Everyone comes to training every day bearing in mind that we are working to get to the Premier League,” said Foster.

“And there are some guys in the team who have been there. They played for about six to seven years in the Premier League. And they tell you stories about how great it is.

“Like Ashley Barnes, for instance, how it feels to score in the Premier League. That’s something that I want to feel.

“I think every kid growing up who loves football wants to play in the Premier League. So for me, I’m really looking forward to it. But we still have a job to do in the Championship, and hopefully, we can finish it off,” he added.

The 22-year-old Foster got the monkey off his back as he recently netted his first goal in Burnley colours in a league clash against Wigan Athletic.

He joined Burnley in January 2023 from KVC Westerlo in Belgium, becoming South Africa’s most expensive transfer.

LYLE FOSTER’S BAFANA BAFANA AMBITION

The former Orlando Pirates striker earned a national call-up. He is in Hugo Broos’ 23-man squad for the back-to-back AFCON qualifiers against Liberia.

With the striker settling well in the UK, he is targeting to be a mainstay in the Bafana Bafana team. “I’d be lying if I said no. That’s the position I wanted since I was a kid,” he said.

“I definitely want to cement my position now as the number one striker for South Africa,” he said.

“I’m looking to score a few goals here while I’m here on camp, work hard, and it’s important to stay focused for these two games [against Liberia].”

Bafana will tackle Liberia on Friday, 24 March (6:00) at Orlando Stadium in Soweto. Four days later, they play the same nation [Tuesday, 28 March] in Monrovia.

RELATED STORY: Lyle Foster opens up on being South Africa’s most expensive player

Back to top button