STAR striker Danny Ings insists he will not allow himself to be sidetracked by speculation about his career.

The Clarets ace has been linked with a number of top flight clubs since firing Burnley to promotion, leaving the club in a similar predicament to the previous two summers when rumours were rife about the futures of Jay Rodriguez and Charlie Austin.

Like Ings, both ended respective seasons as top scorer, with Rodriguez going on to complete a record move to Southampton in the summer of 2012, and Austin being sold to QPR on the eve of last season.

Ings’ name has already been mentioned as a target for the likes of Liverpool, Southampton and Spurs.

But the striker, who is preparing for England Under 21 duty tonight in the European Under 21 Championship clash with Wales in Swansea, insists it is a season in the top flight at Turf Moor that he is relishing, and has no qualms about the rumours.

“I don’t need to handle it. I’m just enjoying my football. I’ve still got a year left on my contract and I’m a player for Burnley Football Club.

“I love it here so I’m just going to concentrate on that.

“It’s a family club and a great club to play for. It’s a fantastic club. And I’m so proud of the lads and how well they’ve done this season.

“I live quite locally so I see a lot of fans and they show their appreciation for the whole team, not just me, and it's a great feeling to be a part of that. There are no egos at this club. Everyone’s in it together, it’s like one big family.”

Ings faced a difficult introduction to life at Turf Moor following his £1million-plus move from Bournemouth in August 2011 as he suffered a serious knee injury in only his second training session.

He recovered to end the season in the side but endured a second lengthy lay-off with a knee problem after a challenge in Burnley’s final friendly with Rochdale the following pre-season.

The striker returned to the squad in October and made a total of 33 appearances.

He led the way up front last term following Austin’s exit, with 26 league and cup goals, ably assisted by 21-goal strike partner Sam Vokes.

The pair were pivotal in Burnley’s promotion push, and now Ings cannot wait to make his Premier League bow.

“It’s the best league in the world,” said the 21-year-old, who admitted he is already counting down the days to the fixtures being released next month.

“I’m really looking forward to it.

“It’s every lad’s dream to play there and that first game is going to be unbelievable,” he said.

“It's going to be a great feeling and I’m going to enjoy every moment of it.”