Burnley's Jon Harley has been hailed by Steve Cotterill as the Championship's top left-back.

Harley is poised to come face-to-face against Clarets old-boy Nathan Dyer tomorrow as Southampton lock horns at Turf Moor.

After landing the Clarets' player of the season accolade last term, energetic Harley has continued his good form into the current campaign.

And while on top of his game, the former Chelsea and Sheffield United star is backed by Cotterill to snuff out the threat of speedy winger Dyer, who made five Burnley appearances on loan last year.

"Southampton have got a threat down the right-hand side, whether they play Nathan Dyer or Djamel Belmadi," said Cotterill.

"But either will have to play well, because they are up against somebody, at the moment, who is probably the in-form left-back in the division.

"Jon Harley has been excellent so far. He's had a great start to the season and hopefully that will continue.

"I don't think he goes without plaudits. That's why he ended up player of the year last year. When you are playing well, your team-mates know that.

"The energy levels he puts in allows him to be one of the better players on the pitch.

"A lot of the game is about running. You've got to be an athlete these days and the fitter you can get that athlete - and we have a few of them - the better they will perform."

Cotterill reckons Harley and his defensive team-mates will be severely tested against a Saints side packed full of attacking talent.

He added: "We will be looking for a good performance from the defenders.

"They've got players who can threaten. Idiakez, Rasiak and Kenwynn Jones can score goals, so there's enough threat that we've got to see off.

"It's a pity this is not a night game, because there's a better atmosphere.

"But this isn't one you have to mark down for our supporters to be up for because they know where Southampton are in the league.

"I don't just mean that they are fourth at the moment, but Southampton will be there or thereabouts this season."

The Clarets may again be without Alan Mahon, who has been nursing a groin injury, but as they showed in victories over Barnsley and Stoke, Burnley can pick up results without the talented playmaker.

"It's not all about Alan Mahon," said Cotterill. "There's other players out there as well.

"They've gone and proved that, which is even more pleasing. Alan Mahon is a big player and we've been pleased with him since he's been here, but nobody is guaranteed a place.