DWIGHT McNeil admits he is trying to stay cool having announced his arrival in the Burnley team with a trio of impressive performances.

The 19-year-old was handed a Premier League start against West Ham late last month and was on target in a 2-0 win before shining again in the victory at Huddersfield and the 1-0 defeat of Barnsley in the FA Cup last time out.

With Aaron Lennon out injured and Robbie Brady suspended McNeil, who made his debut for the Clarets as a late substitute against Bournemouth on the final day of last season, is set to retain his place for the crunch clash with Fulham this weekend.

And the teenager, who was man of the match in the win against the Tykes, believes he is coping well with the transition into the starting XI.

"I just try and treat everything as a normal game and not try and let the expectations and emotions get to me," the winger said. "I just try and be the most composed I can be.

"Just before games you have to take everything out of it and treat it as a normal game and see how everything goes but I think I am doing well at the moment.

"I thought it would be harder than it has been to be honest but I have just taken it in my stride."

He added: "I am building experience, getting games under my belt and getting minutes in and that is the main thing.

"At the minute my confidence is high but I have to keep going and keep working hard.

"The main aim is trying to keep my place in the side because that is what I want to do, play every week but we will have to see what happens."

The Clarets return to action this weekend looking to make it four straight wins and pull clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

Sean Dyche's side head into the clash with Fulham two points clear of the bottom three and four ahead of relegation rivals Fulham who have not won any of the 11 away league games this season and were dumped out of the FA Cup by League Two Oldham last time out.

"We have to take our last two performances in the league into that game and hopefully the result takes care of itself," said McNeil of facing Claudio Ranieri's side.

"We have picked up a couple of wins now and as a team we have to keep that form going.

"I am (surprised to see them struggling) to be honest because they spent a lot of money in the summer but it is just getting used to the Premier League. They have just come up from the Championship and it is a hard league to get used to."

McNeil's appearance in the win over Barnsley was just his seventh of the season and his FA Cup debut while the youngster also hailed the Clarets supporters.

"Going through is the main thing, we are happy to get through," he added. "It is another good competition to be in and to get an appearance.

"The fans are brilliant to give you that extra confidence boost and that extra drive to win. It is brilliant to be part of it."