BURNLEY boss Sean Dyche has hailed the impact of summer signing Lukas Jutkiewicz after another impressive performance on Saturday.

The 25-year-old failed to break the Clarets’ goal drought, which now stretches to 526 minutes, but Dyche described his man of the match display against Sunderland as ‘excellent’.

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It was the second week in a row that Jutkiewicz had been Burnley’s outstanding player, having also turned in a good display in the goalless draw at Crystal Palace.

He could also have won a second penalty in as many weeks after he was barged to the ground by Emanuele Giaccherini during the second half against the Black Cats.

Referee Anthony Taylor waved away the appeals, much to the disappointment of Dyche.

“He was excellent, absolutely excellent,” he said of Jutkiewicz’s performance.

“He’s a player that doesn’t do disappointments and we like that in him.

“He gets on with his job for the team and he is maturing as a player.

“He’s been around for a bit but he’s not that old and people forget that. He’s still learning and I thought he was absolutely top drawer on Saturday.”

The 6ft 1ins striker has used his strength well to bring others into the game so far this season, and he gave Wes Brown and John O’Shea, who was booked for a foul on Jutkiewicz, a tough time of things on Saturday.

Dyche was a blood and thunder centre back who relished a battle during his playing days, but even he admitted he wouldn’t have fancied coming up against Jutkiewicz.

“He was a real handful and when I was a centre half I wouldn’t have enjoyed playing against him, that’s for sure,” Dyche said.

“A goal would have capped it off.

“He was terrific. One will come for him.

“He got six in pre-season so they are there.”

Dyche praised the work-rate of Jutkiewicz, as well as deadline day signing George Boyd, whose performance he also praised.

“It’s an important part of our ethos and the culture we've got here now,” said Dyche.

“Burnley fans will see people that give everything and I thought he was immaculate in his performance on Saturday.

“He fits in to the group physically and mentally.

“He’s got some talent and there were a couple of moments of fine play from him.

“He’ll settle in to the group even more and delivering performances like that will do him the world of good and it does us the world of good.”