IT COULD be argued that Ben Mee came to wider prominence when he flung his head in the way of a Noel Hunt shot at point blank range at Reading, in a televised game in February 2012.

But ahead of tomorrow’s game against the Royals at the Madejski Stadium, striker Sam Vokes feels the defender could really make a name for himself at centre half.

The 26-year-old has played predominantly at left back in the four-and-a-half years he has been with the club, as both Manchester City loanee and permanent fixture at Turf Moor.

But he has made no secret of the fact that he has always seen himself as a centre half.

And now he is demonstrating why.

Manager Sean Dyche made a defensive change after the Boxing Day defeat at Hull City.

When the Clarets entertained Bristol City in the final game of 2015, left footer Mee was moved to centre half alongside right footer Michael Keane, with Stephen Ward coming in at left back.

A 4-0 rout against the Robins ensued, and since then there have been a further three clean sheets and four wins from six Championship games, the last of which resulted in a 1-0 win over then leaders Hull City.

“Ben’s been brilliant,” said Vokes. “I think since Duffo (Michael Duff) came out of the side Ben’s stepped in and he’s done really well there.

“You can see he loves playing centre half. He plays both positions well, don’t get me wrong. He’d played in the Premier League at left back and did really well then. But as a centre half I think you can see some different qualities coming through and he’s really taken it upon himself.

“He’s obviously under pressure now just with the way the squad is and how strong it is with different individuals coming in.”

Defender James Tarkowski is one – recruited on January transfer deadline day.

But Vokes believes the 23-year-old will be aware of the need to be patient, given the form of Keane and Mee.

“Coming into a strong squad he knows how well we’ve been doing,” said the striker of Tarkowski’s situation.

“It’s a position he’s going to have to fight for I suppose.

“In training he’s looked really strong and good. He’ll be battling for that position I’m sure."

“But Ben’s really made that position his own and you can see how hard he tries in games.”

It’s a level of increasing competition which Vokes is sure will stand the Clarets squad in good stead.

“Competition’s massive,” said Vokes.

“We probably haven’t really had it as much in the last few seasons as we have now but that can only make us stronger last week I think with lads fighting for positions. You see how strong the bench is every week at the minute and it can only be good from the squad.

“The bench is the strongest since I’ve been here, definitely.

“Every lad is fighting hard to get onto the pitch.”

Another positive for Vokes and co was last week’s announcement of a new deal for boss Dyche.

“It’s massive,” said the striker.

“It shows his intentions and I mentioned it when I signed it’s a club that’s a definitely on the move. You see the gaffer’s signed a new deal, we’re flying at the top end of the table and a new training ground being built shows the intentions of the club at the minute and where they want to be.

“The gaffer’s created his own ethos here and that can only bode well for the future with him signing a new deal."

“It’s great to see they’ve done that and it’s a club that’s obviously wanting to be up there.”