BURNLEY manager Owen Coyle has backed Chris McCann and Kevin McDonald to be an exciting midfield force.

The young duo teamed up for the first time at Crystal Palace last weekend, and went on to have an instrumental role in the 3-0 Carling Cup second round win over Oldham Athletic in midweek.

McCann ,21, headed in the opener at Turf Moor on Tuesday to become the Clarets' second goalscorer in all competitions so far, before leading scorer Martin Paterson hit a second-half double. Summer signing McDonald, 19, who ended last season with 11 goals for Dundee, also posed a threat to the Latics' backline.

And after ending pre-season with 14 different goalscorers, Coyle believes his midfield pair can maintain a strong influence in attack this term.

“We had that in pre-season and we want that to continue into the season,” said the Clarets boss.

“I thought Chris McCann looked terrific on Tuesday night and that security at the back with the system we employed allowed him and Kevin McDonald to get forward.

“They both love running with the ball and they've got terrific engines.

“There were a lot of positives to take from Chris McCann's goal, and he probably could have had two or three on the night.

“That's what we want because, in terms of a midfielder I think he is a real goalscoring threat.

“It's pleasing we're getting so much energy and they're getting shots in.

“The longer they play together there's no doubt they're going to get better, and I think that augurs well for the future of the football club.

“But equally we recognise we want to get moving up the table and Saturday gives us an opportunity with another home game, albeit against a very good Plymouth side, to go into it trying to win and moving in the right direction."

He added: “It's fair to say the longer this team plays together then, at the age they're at, they will get better together.

“Football being football, everyone wants that immediate impact, and that's what we're trying to do, but there's no doubt that in terms of the long-term picture of the football club Martin Paterson, Chris McCann, Kevin McDonald, Chris Eagles - they are young players aspiring to do better, and they'll get better the longer they play with each other.”