STEPHEN Ward could be set for his Burnley debut tonight, with manager Sean Dyche hinting at changes for their Capital One Cup second tie with Sheffield Wednesday.

The Republic of Ireland left back was named on the bench for Saturday’s narrow defeat at Swansea City, the first game Ward was eligible for after completing his move from Wolves on the eve of the season, but not in time to face Chelsea.

Debuts could also be handed to goalkeeper Matt Gilks and right back Steven Reid with Dyche, pictured, keen to utilise his squad and get as many match minutes into his players as possible.

And that could also mean a first start for summer signing Marvin Sordell.

The striker has come off the bench in each of the last two games, along with Ashley Barnes, and the duo could form the attack against Sheffield Wednesday if Dyche opts to save Danny Ings and Lukas Jutkiewicz for Saturday’s home game with Manchester United.

“It’s important that we use players,” said the Burnley boss.

“We need to use players, we need to make sure players are fit because of the demands on them (in the Premier League).

“So we will look at the idea of change. That’s not necessariy what we are going to do, but we will have a look at that.

“Players need games, we want them to be fit and well.”

A first round win at York City in the League Cup was the springboard to success last season, after Burnley began the 2013/14 Championship campaign with a draw at home to Bolton Wanderers.

They fielded an unchanged side against the League Two club last August, but Dyche feels the situation is different this time around.

“There’s a bigger picture to our season this season,” he said.

The Clarets are searching for their first points in the Premier League, albeit just two games into the new campaign.

And defender Michael Duff is mindful of how progress in the cup can have a positive knock-on effect.

“It’s always important to win games,” he said.

“The performances are key at the minute because we are learning so much from the two games we’ve played in.

“It’s a different competition, and different game, and a little bit different because we will be expected to win because we are now a Premier League team and we are at home.

“Every game is going to throw different things at us.

“It’s something we will have to deal with, the ‘favourites’ tag which won’t happen this year very often I don’t think.”

Of the prospect of changes, Duff added: “It’s quite early in the season so I don’t know if anyone needs a rest but the manager might want to look at different things, different people.”