SEAN Dyche believes Burnley have a real star on their hands in Dwight McNeil and admits the winger could go all the way to the top in football.

The 19-year-old was linked to some of Europe's top clubs in the summer after being put in the Burnley team after a Christmas period to forget and he hasn't looked back.

Dyche thinks the youngster is in the right environment to progress in his career.

"We want him to get recognition because he deserves it, he's a very good player," said Dyche.

"I mentioned last year the positive effect it had on the team, he's positive around the group, maturing into himself as a person not just a footballer.

"He's more and more relaxed around the group and in what he does as a professional, and I want him to continue to show that on the pitch, to continue to play with that relaxed focus, as I call it.

"I ask them to go and play with that freedom, but also that edge when he knows there's a professional responsibility.

"I think he's doing a good job all round, he remains very humble, he remains driven to what he wants to do, and they remain important qualities.

"You've got to remain like that to really go to the top, to maximise himself with us, and I think he can go beyond us and on to pastures new at a higher level of club, certainly what's deemed a higher level of club."

Young players are expected to carry on their upward curve and carry on improving, but boss Dyche is well aware this isn't always the case.

"We can all say there is (more to come) but it is the ups and downs of your own performances, and I think he has done very well with that," added Dyche.

"The best players I always think just raise their minimums so that on a quiet day they are still good.

"I think on a quiet day he can still find a moment, a pass, a cross, a goal or a set piece and he remains diligent to the basics.

"He works hard for the team and works hard in his pressing positions and he works very, very hard on transition.

"I have been really pleased. If he keeps doing all those things then I believe he can continue to improve.

"I think he can make big steps in the future. I think he is in the right environment and the right culture."