EDDIE Howe is optimistic that Burnley will begin to get the best out of loan signing Nathan Delfouneso in the final few games of the season.

The Aston Villa striker scored just five minutes into his loan spell as he helped the Clarets to a 1-0 win at Hull early last month but he has since gone six games without a goal.

But Howe has sympathy with the 20-year-old, who has moved away from Villa for the first time, and is hopeful that the goals will return in the final six matches of the campaign after seeing encouraging signs at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.

“I don’t think we’ve quite got the best out of him,” said the Burnley boss.

“Some players take longer to adjust when coming in than others.

“He’s had to get used to how we play and we’ve had to get used to the runs that he makes.

“There were signs on Tuesday that we’re beginning to get an understanding with him.

“He’s a fantastic lad with a great attitude and wants to do well.

“He’s an excellent player and has real potential. Hopefully with the remaining games it will click into gear.

“He can do a little bit of everything. He’s technically very good, he can receive the ball to his feet. He can also run in behind, he’s athletic and quick. But developing an understanding with the players around him is sometimes difficult and it takes time.”

Midfielder Chris McCann stepped up his recovery from a long-term knee injury with a goal in a 90-minute appearance for the reserves on Monday and Howe believes he is now nearing a first-team return.

“He’s close,” Howe said.

“I think we’ve done the right thing in terms of it being a gentle build-up for him.

“He’s been allowed to play in kind of low key matches.

“He’s in and around it now, he’s training very well. It will just be a case of when we decide to dip him in.

“We want to make sure that he’s ready and he can do himself and the team justice, that he can perform up to the level we need him to.

“But he’s not far away now.”

Burnley host Swansea today after taking just one point from their last three home games, with Howe knowing it is their responsibilty to lift an increasingly despondent crowd rather than the other way around.

“It’s down to us first and foremost,” he said.

“We need to make sure we do that right from the first minute for the fans.”