DYCHE TELLS FANS TO GIVE JEFF A BREAK

SEAN DYCHE has urged Burnley fans to be more patient with Jeff Hendrick.

Dyche knows some supporters question Hendrick – signed from Derby in 2016 for £10.5million – because they feel the Ireland star could contribute more.

But the Clarets boss is pleased with the midfielder and he teed up Jack Cork to score Burnley’s extra-time winner against Istanbul Basaksehir on Thursday.

And Dyche claims fans should remember 26-year-old Hendrick (above) is still adapting to the No.10 role.

“Sometimes the fans can question Jeff, but I thought he was absolutely tremendous on Thursday,” he said.

“Sometimes they forget he’s a midfield player going into that No.10 slot, and it takes time to develop in that role.

“It’s not an overnight thing. He’s not overly criticised. I just think sometimes fans think, ‘Come on, give us a bit more’.

“He was excellent at Southampton too and I only took him off tactically – it was nothing do with his performance.

“Fans have moments with players, just little windows. But I think, the last couple of games, people have been pleased with his performances. I certainly have.”

Dyche refused to put a timescale on how long Hendrick needs to adjust and says he is still a work in progress.

“There’s not a time span on player development,” he said. “Some grip hold of a new concept, some take more time.

“Jeff is a relatively young player, especially in Premier

League terms. He’s still moulding himself into a real Premier League player.”

Burnley needed extra-time to progress in the

Europa League for the second week running, but

Dyche (right) insists his players will be ready.

“The will is there and the players’ mental and physical fitness is absolutely fantastic, so they’ll be ready,” he added.