Birthplace: Dublin

Honours: Republic Of Ireland U21

The battling midfielder has been voted man of the match numerous times throughout the 2007/08 season.

His committed nature and technical abilities have made him a fans favourite at Turf Moor.

James scored 3 goals for Burnley in the season and despite being one of the smallest players in the squad the Irishman is a threat from set pieces.

The desire and passion he shows for the team will certainly help Owen Coyle 's side next season as the clarets push for promotion.

Combative midfielder James enjoyed a terrific 2006/07 season as a virtual mainstay of the Clarets midfield.

He sat out the final few matches of the 2006/07 campaign after being concussed in an aeriel clash with WBA defender Paul McShane.

However, the hard-working, tough-as-teak former Eire U21 star never knows a lost cause and that has helped to endear him to Clarets fans ever since his signing on transfer deadline day in 2005.

Burnley signed James on a permanent basis when a fee of £175,000 was agreed with West Bromwich Albion, following a successful three-month loan spell with the Clarets earlier in the 2004/05 season when Steve Cotterill's side enjoyed one of their best spells of the campaign.

After returning to the Hawthorns he made only one substitute appearance in the FA Cup game with Tottenham Hotspur, which added to his only other appearance for the Baggies that season as a substitute against Colchester United in the Carling Cup.

James' desire for first team football saw Cotterill offer to get some games under his belt and his subsequent form helped to resurrecting his career.

O'Connor had played under Cotterill previously during his time at first club Stoke City, but he joined Albion for a fee of £250,000 in the summer of 2003 and was a main part of their team which won promotion to the Premiership that season.