Burnley boss Sean Dyche has urged Dwight McNeil not to demand so much of himself.

After becoming an integral part of the first team, Dyche feels he can become an even better player if he lightens the load of self-expectation.

“I've been incredibly impressed with Dwight. He's just recently had his first spell out through injury, but to stay in the team for so long and to play week in and week out is amazing for a young player in modern football," said the Clarets boss.

“He continues to improve and the demand I have on him is to simply smile a bit more because he takes himself very seriously at times and beats himself up about situations when he hasn't done so well.

“I just want him to relax a little bit more and play with a smile, because he's a very talented player who just loves playing.

“It's rare he misses any training, or games, and he just wants to be out there, so we just let him get on with it."