DESPITE being one of the younger members of the Burnley first team squad, manger Sean Dyche has told his older players to take a lead from Dwight McNeil.

The Clarets boss described the 20-year-old as a ‘shining light’ and his performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday was one of the few positives to take away from the 5-0 drubbing.

In what has been a tough week for Burnley following home defeats to Crystal Palace and Manchester City, Dyche was full of praise for his young winger.

“He’s a shining light lately and I said to some of the older boys that someone like that can invigorate you,” Dyche told the club’s official website.

“Seeing someone like that, at his game like that, and taking it on, should give you a lift.”

Dyche has already suggested McNeil is good enough for a full England call-up having already been capped at Under-21s level.

And while two goals from Harry Kane, Lucas Moura, Moussa Sissoko and a goal of the season contender from Heung-Mon Son guided Spurs to a comfortable victory, McNeil was once again Burnley’s biggest threat - carving out two big chances in the first half while he continued to take the game to the hosts.

“Dwight was fantastic again,” the manager added. “He is a fantastic talent and I couldn’t be prouder of what he’s doing.

“He’s a young man who, as you saw, is taking on the Premier League and he’s been outstanding.

“Even when the game has gone at three and four, he is still working and trying to open chances up.

“The kid has strength and the moral courage to have the ball, which is a massive strength in the Premier League and he’s also got physical power.”

Having enjoyed back to back 3-0 wins over West Ham and Watford, Dyche admitted the three defeats that followed have been something of a reality check for the Clarets who have slipped to 13th place in the Premier League.

“It’s been a week of reality,” said Dyche. “We made two really big mistakes against Palace and got punished, Manchester City were too good for us and then again (against Spurs), that’s the reality of this league.

“If you catch these teams on the wrong day, you get hurt.”