SAM Vokes signing a new contract is great news. If Danny Ings was to agree an extension with the Clarets that would be better still.

It’s vital that we at least hold on to the top scorer during the January transfer window.

Interest in the striker is hotting up because of the fantastic season he is having. With 20 goals already he is well on course to steal my 37-goal top scoring crown, with plenty of games to go.

This time last year we were talking about Charlie Austin doing the same thing. He fell short in the end, but Danny could do it. And if push came to shove I would say he is a better player than Charlie, because he is a team man.

The two struggled to form a partnership because Charlie was more selfish.

I don’t think Danny is selfish in any way. When there is an opportunity for him to strike, he knows when to take it, but he can lay it off as well.

Together with Sam they bring the best out in each other, and Sam’s contract extension is richly deserved.

He has benefited brilliantly from regular football and more than held his own against Southampton in the cup.

It sends out the right message by the club when they are keeping hold of their best players.

But it is just as important for the Clarets to add to their squad this month.

Sean Dyche has done a wonderful job in getting a small squad into the automatic promotion spots at this stage of the season, without spending on signings. But with the board surely being able to see the prize on offer, funds will be made available for the manager to get the players he wants.

Winger Ross Wallace is on his way back to boost the ranks of course, but if injuries or suspensions kick in our squad would be stretched, especially if anything was to happen to the front two.

* THERE are some managers who couldn’t care less about the FA Cup.

Why they can’t see the magic of this famous old domestic trophy that’s revered around the world, I don’t understand.

And what a tie it turned out to be for Burnley.

We went to Premier League Southampton and put in a tremendous performance to come away with our pride intact.

Jay Rodriguez came off the bench to score, and not celebrating was testimony to how he feels about Burnley.

When we went 2-0 down after 28 minutes it looked like game over. I don’t know what Sean Dyche said in the dressing room but we came out and got back on level terms very quickly.

The Saints were rattled and the Clarets could even have gone ahead.

It wasn’t to be our day but it shows we can hold our own against top flight opposition, which bodes well for what we all hope the team can achieve this season.

Ashley Barnes at Brighton seems an ideal target, so hopefully we can get him, and another one or two more would be welcome.

Our success in the transfer market could just be the difference between success and failure.