Austria calling Barnes

ASHLEY BARNES has scaled football’s dizzy heights since his early non-league days at Paulton Rovers in the Southern League.

He joined Burnley four years ago from Brighton to reach the high of European football.

But now, the Burnley striker is destined to climb further – with a possible call-up to Austria as they prepare for Euro 2020.

Barnes, 29, (below) qualifies courtesy of his grandmother and Austria boss Franco Foda has approached him following regular checks on his form for the last nine months.

The necessary paperwork is at the final stages and Barnes is getting excited.

He said: “I’ve made myself available to Austria and there has been contact. I’ve definitely not ruled out any options and I’m eligible to play for them.

“It would obviously be a great honour, but, first and foremost, I have to concentrate on here because everything comes from that.

“Once things start to flow again, then Austria could happen in the near future and the Euro draw makes things interesting.

“But it’s all about Burnley first for me. That’s my main aim.”

Barnes added: “It’s frustrating not to have played more because you just want to help the team out.

“People never liked coming to Turf Moor because we made it horrible for teams.”