SEAN Dyche has backed Danny Lafferty to benefit from his international exploits, and blossom with Burnley.

After making his first start of the season at Ipswich Town last weekend, the left back missed out on a full week of training under the new Burnley boss after receiving a late call-up for Northern Ireland’s World Cup 2014 qualifier with Azerbaijan.

But Dyche is confident Lafferty’s absence won’t be detrimental to his Burnley progress, especially after the left back earned rave reviews on his competitive international debut.

The 23-year-old played the full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw at Windsor Park, which has left Northern Ireland with just three points from their four Group F games and little hope of progressing to the finals in Brazil.

Nevertheless, Dyche believes the experience will be invaluable for Lafferty’s develop-ment at club level.

However, he admitted losing players due to internationals did pose a problem.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” he said. “Like with players getting interest, it’s the same thing with internationals.

“You want them to be internationals of course, it’s good for the club to show you have this quality of player, but it is hard when they disappear.

“Sam Vokes went with Wales (on Tuesday), David Edgar has been away with Canada recently, as well as Danny Lafferty with Northern Ireland.

“It’s the reality of the pluses and minuses of it – good experience, good for their development, good for the club to show the standard of players we’ve got here and are hoping to develop here, but also the downside is when they have to disappear.”

However, Dyche does not expect that to have too a negative an impact on their preparations for tomorrow’s visit of Charlton Athletic.

“The group has been terrific, the way they’ve gone about their business has been top absolutely drawer – the staff, the acceptance of new people coming in, the acceptance of the players and the way they’ve delivered in training and games has been really pleasing.

“But I’m always greedy to get more work into them and forge an even better mentality and a better framework to play from,” said the Clarets boss, who is pleased with what he has seen on the training ground in his first full week at Gawthorpe.

“You know of all of the players, and some you know better than others, but the reality is it’s when you work with them you see them up close and personal so you get more of a feel for the player but also the person – what kind of personality they are, how useful that will be within the group.

“You could say I’ve been enjoying the way the players have gone about it.

“One of the main things I wanted to get a visual of in terms of the fans was what I think is appropriate for the team.

“Yet again on Saturday (at Ipswich) there was no lack of effort or sweat on the shirt, there was some good play. It didn’t quite go our way on the day – an iffy decision by the referee – but the actual fundamentals of the team were still quite clear to see.”

Dyche is now looking to continue the winning habit at home.

“A lot was made of our defensive responsibilities but I think it’s clear the lads have taken some of the work we’ve been trying to do with them and delivered performances, two nice clean sheets and good goals as well,” said the 41-year-old of home wins against Wolves and Leeds in his first two games.

“That’s the mix that I suggested we’re looking for – put it in one end and stop it going in the other one.”