EDDIE Howe has insisted that Zavon Hines can still become a success at Burnley despite the forward falling down the Turf Moor pecking order in recent weeks.

Hines, capable of playing either up front or on the wing, joined the Clarets from West Ham United in August but has so far not been able to make the same impact as former Hammers team-mate Junior Stanislas in East Lancashire.

The 23-year-old is yet to make a league start this season and the return from injury of Martin Paterson and Charlie Austin has seen him miss out on a place on the bench in each of the last three games.

But Hines has been offered words of encouragement from Howe, who says he has not been overly disappointed with the former England under 21 interna-tional’s performances so far.

The Clarets boss voiced his frustration at the start of the season that a Football League rule change meant he would only be allowed to name five substitutes rather than seven for league games this term, and has assured Hines that he can earn another opportunity if he continues to work hard in training.

“Of course he can, we look at all the players in training,” said the Clarets boss.

“There’s the opportunity there for all of the squad, we want to keep them all involved.

“It’s a shame because of the five-substitute rule that a couple of people have been missing out at the moment. We’ve got one of the best groups of forwards in the league.

“We brought Zavon in because we believe in his ability.

“It does take players time to settle in but I think he has done well when he has played.

“A couple of players have come back from injury but it’s up to Zavon to keep working hard and he will get his opportunity.

“He has ability and he will feature in the second half of the season.”

Hines arrived at Turf Moor on a two-year contract a fortnight before Stanislas made the same move from West Ham, but it is the latter who has since managed to secure regular football with the Clarets.

Hines has made two starts in the Carling Cup but he is yet to find the net for the Clarets and has not featured since appearing as a late substitute in last month’s 4-0 home win over Ipswich.