ALEX Kacaniklic says Sean Dyche was the reason he forced through a loan move to Burnley.

After starting the season with Fulham, the 21-year-old was not content to find himself on the bench after playing 19 games – starting 14.

Having failed to feature at all in February, Kacaniklic told manager Martin Jol of his desire to follow-up last season’s loan spell in the Championship by going elsewhere to play.

The Sweden international was given his first taste of English football under Dyche at Watford, and he is looking forward to working with the 41-year-old again, at Turf Moor.

“He was the one who gave me first team football. I didn’t get it at Fulham so I went on loan to Watford,” said Kacaniklic, who is set to make his home debut for the Clarets against Barnsley tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

“He is an honest manager and he gives the players confidence to play, and that’s what I like.

“You don’t get too many managers who are as honest as him.

“He gets the best out of you – he got the best out of me at Watford.

“That was a very important move for me. I was so happy I got the opportunity by the manager and that gave me confidence and first team football to go back to Fulham and play all the games I’ve played this season.”

Kacaniklic, who played predominantly on the left wing at Watford, added: “He always encouraged me to do what I’m good at and keep on attacking the full backs and try to score goals, and that gave me confidence.

“A player needs to feel that you are allowed to fail, in order to perform, and he does that.

“I really like him as a manager, and that’s the biggest reason I’m here.”

But Kacaniklic’s desire to be out on the pitch was another big factor in the move.

“It was more my decision (to go out on loan). They (Fulham) have to approve it obviously, but I wanted to play games – I’m not happy to sit on the bench,” he said.

“I think I was on the bench for four or five games in a row. But I want to play and I want to develop.

“If you want to be a better player you’ve got to play. That’s the way I see it.”

It is a little over 12 months since Kacaniklic came off the bench for Watford to score against the Clarets, and help the Hornets come back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 – a result which helped turn their season around.

Now the former Liverpool trainee is aiming to contribute to Burnley pushing back up the table, and he believes they are capable of keeping tabs on the top six.

“We’re in a good place in the league and the only way is up,” said Kacaniklic.

“I see a hard-working team, that’s the way it’s got to be. With the players it seems like a happy place.

“You could just tell the whole team was working together on Saturday to get the win. Even though Charlton kept on coming at us a bit in the second half we defended well and we attacked well and it was an important win.”

He added: “I’m looking forward to a home game, and hopefully I’ll get some goals for Burnley.

“I’ve scored a couple of goals in the Premier League as well this year, so I want to keep on scoring.

“I want to win games and see how far it takes us.”