If McNeil matures into a vintage Claret he will save club a fortune says Mee

Barnes Wood Westwood

BEN MEE says the emergence of home-grown hero Dwight McNeil proves Burnley do not need to splash the cash to survive in the Premier League.

Teen sensation McNeil gave former England defender Nathaniel Clyne the runaround as the Clarets moved a giant step closer to safety.

Clyne was substituted at half-time and Mee said: “I can’t praise Dwight highly enough. He’s come in, has done a really good job and is very mature for his age.

“He’s got a fantastic future, not to put too much pressure on him, but he’s got that bounce, that bit of quality and has added a real amount to our team.

“He’s creating goals, he’s scoring goals and defensively he’s working really hard for the team and he’s enjoying his football at the minute, which is the main thing.

“He’s got some good skills. His body movement – he relies a lot on his body and can shift a ball really well.

“There’s not been too many young lads in and around our squads in recent years, but he’s exciting – he’s one too look out for, definitely.

“He’s in his own element. He’s got some good quality, which we’re all excited about.

“Burnley is run differently to other clubs and it’s run well. We’re not a massive club – we need to work within our means.

“The chairman said we could spend more money and get into debt, but that’s not the way the club’s doing it.

“The gaffer’s doing a good job with what we’ve got. We’ve got some good players – no doubt about it – and we always fight for each other.

“It’s a close-knit unit and that’s what we build from.”

Ashley Barnes’s fourthminute own goal got Burnley off to a disastrous start, but Chris Wood (below, being congratulated) nodded the Clarets level 14 minutes later after Asmir Begovic flapped at a corner.

Ashley Westwood thumped Sean Dyche’s battlers ahead two minutes later before Barnes’s second-half tap-in after another gaffe from Begovic sealed the points.

Burnley host Cardiff on Saturday knowing a win would all but secure their top-flight status.

Mee, whose side are eight points ahead of the Bluebirds, added: “It’s a massive game and definitely one we’ll approach with belief.

“It’s a good cushion to have, going into a big game full of confidence off the back of two wins, at a place like this and beating a team like Wolves.

“We’ll go into Saturday’s game and try and get another three points, which would be massive.”