WHEN James Tarkowski sees himself described as a central defender of the 'old school' variety he has a wry smile on his face.

The former Oldham and Brentford centre back believes that's a description of him that former teammates at Boundary Park and Griffin Park may not recognise.

When Burnley prised him from the Bees in the winter transfer window in 2016 Tarkowski arrived as a defender with a ball-playing reputation.

But in two years at Turf Moor the 25-year-old has had added some old fashioned grit to go with the glamour - and he credits the coaching at the club from Sean Dyche and his staff for that.

"I think you see a few things written about me now being an 'old school English defender'. Before I came here I don't think anybody would have written those words about me," Tarkowski said.

"It's a side of the game that this club has brought out of me and I'm really enjoying that side of the game. I'm enjoying being a part of the team, picking up results and I'm happy to be out there."

Tarkowski's patience in waiting for his chance at Burnley has been well documented. But that time spent on the training ground, waiting for the Ben Mee-Michael Keane axis to afford him a chance, has proven to be time well spent, and now he's a key member of the squad the Manchester-born defender is loving life in East Lancashire.

"That is the environment the gaffer has tried to make it, to make it enjoyable but enjoyable while working hard," he said.

"We've got a good balance of both people enjoy been out on the pitch but also willing to do the dirty work which some teams aren't willing to do at times."

Tarkowski has earned his fair share of praise from pundits this season. His defensive statistics are amongst the best in the Premier League, particularly when it comes to blocks, but he sees it as simply part of his job.

"Stats are stats, I am where I am expected to be. That is how I see it. I am meant to be in that position so if the ball hits me the ball hits me," Tarkowski said.

"I don't read too much into it, obviously it is nice for your name to be mentioned but I am just doing my job like anyone else who is doing their job.

"The team is known as been well set up defensively so maybe the defence got a few more plaudits than the lads higher up the pitch but they are obviously doing just as much work as we are."