STEVEN Defour’s desire to be on the ball and his passing ability can make a difference for Burnley this season, according to boss Sean Dyche.

The Belgian international scored his first goal for the Clarets on Saturday, capping a commanding display in the centre of the pitch with a moment of individual brilliance to break the deadlock.

It was the 28-year-old’s third start for the club since his £7.5million move from Anderlecht in August and he showed what a shrewd addition he could prove to be for Dyche and Burnley in the Premier League.

Defour was the first midfield capture of the summer for the Clarets following Joey Barton’s decision to leave the club for Rangers, but Dyche insisted they had different attributes despite occupying the same space on the pitch.

“He’s less combative than Joey, but he’s a very good technician, as you saw with his goal and some of his controlled passing, his belief in having the ball and dealing with it, which is a big part of why we brought him in,” said the Clarets chief.

“We bought him here to add to the group, and we think he can do that.

“He’s very experienced, he wanted the challenge of the Premier League, arguably people might have overlooked him and it might have been his last chance in the Premier League, and he’s here to enjoy it.

“He’s certainly up for the challenge, he was captaining sides at a very young age, and that usually shows a maturity.

“I was really pleased with him. He leads by example, he’s enjoying the group and settling in well.”

Defour had more touches than any other player for Burnley in Saturday’s draw with Hull with 82.

That was despite the midfielder, who also led the Clarets’ passing accuracy stats, being replaced in the closing stages.

For the third game in a row Defour was replaced in the second half as he continues to get his fitness up to Premier League levels.

Having lasted just under an hour against Liverpool and Chelsea the former Porto midfielder was on the pitch for 75 minutes against Hull City, with his 25-yard goal his final action before being replaced by Jeff Hendrick.

Dyche said: “He’s adjusting and adapting as I said he would, he’s been in a completely different culture of football in Belgium, a lot slower, a lot more methodical at times, and he’s come into the fire of the Premier League, mixed with the quality, but he’s adapted well and was outstanding.

“His fitness is still coming, he said his calves were tightening up, and we’ve got to be careful.

“We have to understand the Premier League is different to where he’s been used to, he’s been away on international duty as well, so we couldn’t continue with the work he was doing, so you’ve got to listen to him.

“He’s not a kid, he’s a man, and he said his calves were tightening up, so we had to make a decision. But his fitness is improving rapidly.”