SEAN Dyche is encouraging patience with the progress of Rouwen Hennings, after admitting the German striker is still adapting to the Championship.

The striker started last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Brighton in the absence of Sam Vokes, and could be called upon again at Cardiff City today if the forward remains sidelined by a groin strain.

Top scorer Andre Gray noted this week that Hennings was one of the most technically adept players at the club, and Dyche said the 28-year-old had shown plenty of promise in training.

And the Burnley boss feels it is just a matter of time before that starts translating into games for the former Bundesliga striker.

“He’s someone who can score, he’s got a very powerful left foot,” said Dyche.

“He was unlucky last week with good movement in the box to get a good chance and the keeper makes a good save.

“He’s still adapting. It’s not like he’s 19, he’s a more rounded professional, but he’s adapting to the challenge of the Championship so we’re still not expecting miracles out of him. He’s shown signs and glimmers of what he’s about, and we think there’s more to come.

“It’s the same with Chris Long.

“At the moment it’s fair to say Vokesy and Andre are starters but the two behind them are pushing in training.

“Longy got quite a few minutes on the pitch before the Wolves game and we’re thinking of him as well as someone who can push and obviously if Vokesy doesn’t make it this weekend then there’s another decision to make.

“There’s another possibility for them to get time under their belt and play for us.”

Dyche feels Hennings’ first goal for the Clarets, and first in England, would be a big step forward.

“I think he’s done okay generally, considering he’s adapting to it all. But as a goalscorer it helps if you’re scoring goals, quite obviously,” said Dyche of the player he signed from Karlsruhe in the summer.

“People have made a lot of Andre and how quickly he’s settled in. Let’s face it he scored early, which helps, because as a striker that’s your underlying marker.

“Andre has probably accelerated his situation really by getting his goals on the board very early. That’s probably a bit more settling for him individually. And with Longy and Rouwen they’ve had to bide their time a little bit.

“As a centre half I used to play against some excellent strikers who weren’t scoring all the time but were still fantastic players for the team, so there is a secondary role. But of course most people will judge a striker on whether they’re scoring or not.”

He added: “There are signs.

“We all know, when you read about players coming from Europe or further afield who have done great, I’ll show you 10 who have taken time.

“It is a longer period sometimes to adapt, and we think he’s going about that in the right manner, certainly on the training field, and he’s another player who is developing.

“Chris Long is another, for different reasons. He’s younger and is still opening his mind to what he offers at first team level, having had little spells at Brentford and some time with us.

“They’re in contention. If Vokesy doesn’t make it they’re in contention, along with other players because we know we’ve got flexibility with some players and how they can play in different positions.”