SEAN Dyche believes the 'foundations' for Johann Berg Gudmundsson's breakthrough campaign in the Premier League were laid during his injury-hit first season at the club.

The Iceland winger has been one of Burnley's star performers so far this season, with two goals and six assists in the league as well as a string of impressive performances.

Gudmundsson showed glimpses of the potential which is now blossoming during his first year at the club after joining from Charlton Athletic for £2.5million in the summer of 2016.

But it proved to be a frustrating first campaign in East Lancashire for the 27-year-old, who was restricted to just 10 league starts and a further 10 appearances off the bench due to injury.

This year he has already more than doubled the number of top flight minutes he managed last term, and Dyche said: "Johann is certainly adapting and growing into what it is, and I think the foundations were put in last year, even coming out injured for a bit - they get a look at it, and your football brain is maturing into the quirks and changes of what this level holds.

"He just keeps readjusting. Every season you readjust again, get that downtime in the summer, go into pre-season and, all that subliminal stuff we all take for granted, it is there, you don't access it on a piece of paper, but it's there.

"I think that, season on season, becomes part of you, and some of the harsh points of that learning curve become normal."

Gudmundsson is one of a number of players at Burnley who have taken time to settle into their role and develop.

Dyche believes that is a result of the finances the club has to work with, with the Clarets usually unable to buy the finish product.

"The thing about football, we're all of the thinking it's got to be instant. Well, I've mentioned many times, it's very rare here we're in a position to buy instant - we have to get players who mould into what it is," Dyche explained.

"Now and again, say with Corky, Bardo (Phil Bardsley), Jon (Walters), who know the division, their way around, but players have matured with us, Tom (Heaton), Ben (Mee), people like that.

"But there are others who are behind that who have to go on that learning curve. Johann had his last year.

"For Johann, it's about adapting to all of it, the pace of it, the quality, the physical demands, demands from yourself.

"Tarky (James Tarkowski) is like that, Popey (Nick Pope), Charlie (Taylor), all adapting and improving.

"The thing is, you're judged along that timescale, very quickly.

"I want to win, the players and fans do. But there has to be a balanced view.

"Sometimes you have these peaks and troughs, and sometimes it comes when you're trying to mould a team where some have been there, seen it, done it, some have earned it, some have never done it at all."