David Beckham Premier League record under threat as manager urges new signing to break it

Burnley boss Scott Parker is willing James Ward-Prowse on to break a long-standing David Beckham record now the midfielder has joined Burnley on loan.

The 31-year-old has moved to Turf Moor on loan from West Ham, having been frozen out of first team action under Nuno Espirito Santo.

He joins the relegation battle with Burnley, with Parker doing his best to keep the Clarets in the Premier League against the odds.

Ward-Prowse will bring with him prowess from dead balls, known as one of the great free-kick takers in the Premier League.

Only Beckham has scored more goals in the division directly from a free-kick, with 18 to Ward-Prowse’s 17 and Parker hopes he will see that record tumble by the end of the season.

‘Let’s hope he breaks that!’ Parker said when informed of the record. ‘I think we’ve seen it over many, many years — in and around the edge of the box, his delivery from wide areas, corners as well, it’s an absolutely huge, huge threat.

‘His quality in and around the edge of the box, to get a ball up and down at speed, to beat keepers, it’s probably world class really in terms of the set piece. Hopefully he can break that record with us because it would mean one has gone in!’

Parker backed the 11-cap England international as much more than just someone who can ping in free-kicks.

‘I think it would be really unfair of me to only compliment James’s ability to take set-plays,’ said the Burnley boss. ‘He brings an all-round game. But for sure he will give us an added something in that area where it’s clear that over the last 18 months, that side of the game has gone up 10-fold really.

‘He’s an incredible professional who in every test he’s done with us since he’s come in has been right up there. But match speed and match tempo might be something that is missing.’

Most direct free-kick goals in the Premier League

• David Beckham – 18
• James Ward-Prowse – 17
• Thierry Henry, Gianfranco Zola, Cristiano Ronaldo – 12

• Laurent Robert, Sebastian Larsson – 11
• Ian Harte, Morten Gamst Pedersen – 10

Ward-Prowse was quickly won over by Parker when he spoke to the Clarets manager and is raring to get involved, starting with Sunderland away on Monday night.

‘I was really impressed with how he came across, how he delivered the messages about the objectives, which I think is clear for everybody to see,’ the new arrival said of Parker.

‘Just the chance to come here to show people what I can do. I certainly feel as though I have the quality and experience to hopefully help the group in the best way possible, and to achieve the goal of staying in the Premier League.’

He added: ‘I’ve been used to throughout my career playing consistently and playing a lot. So, to have had a bit of a period away from the game if you like was disappointing and challenging in many ways.

‘But I think it gave me a chance to reflect on myself and to work on a few things. It’s almost made my love for the game grow even more. I’m eager to get back playing and hopefully help the team in the best way possible.’