BURNLEY boss Eddie Howe is hopeful that defender Shane Duffy will return to the club next season if he impresses during his current loan spell from Everton.

Howe moved to bring in the young Irishman just before the transfer deadline on Thursday, initially on a month’s loan but with the option of extending the deal until the end of the current campaign.

Duffy will not link up with the Clarets squad for the first time until he returns from international duty with the Republic of Ireland under 21 squad on Monday but Howe has already seen enough of the centre back to be confident that he could make an impact at Turf Moor.

The 19-year-old will face competition from Clarke Carlisle, Andre Bikey and Michael Duff for a place in the heart of the Burnley defence but Howe already has one eye on extending his stay into next season.

Duffy, who was linked with a loan switch to Preston North End in November, is reportedly under contract with Everton until the summer of 2013.

But he has so far made only two appearances for the first team, both in the Europa League last season, and may be loaned out again next term to gain more senior experience.

“He’s a young player who has done very well this season for Everton’s reserves and he is a player with big potential,” said Howe, who is known for his emphasis on developing youth.

“I’m delighted with the deal. It’s a double benefit in that it gives us a chance to look at him with a view to next season but he also increases competition for places now and comes straight into the squad.

“We have got a lot of games in April. We will need to use the whole squad and Shane will add more depth.”

Duffy’s initial 28-day loan seems set to end after Burnley’s home game against Middlesbrough on April 19 but Football League rules would allow the Clarets to extend the deal until the last game of the regular season against Cardiff on May 7 - and then to the play-off final on May 30 if required.

* Young Burnley striker Alex MacDonald, currently on loan at SPL side Inverness Caledonian Thistle, made his second appearance for the Scotland under 21s as a substitute in their 1-0 loss in Belgium.