On loan Drinkwater faces work to earn starting place with Burnley

Danny Drinkwater is fit enough to come straight into contention for Burnley but he has a job on his hands persuading manager Sean Dyche to put him in the starting line-up.

The former England midfielder joined the Clarets on Thursday on a loan deal from Chelsea until January and, on his best form, his quality would clearly be a big asset to Dyche's men.

But the Burnley boss is known as a manager who keeps faith with players producing results and it would be a surprise if he does not select the same XI for next week's trip to Arsenal after a 3-0 victory over Southampton provided a perfect start to the season.

Drinkwater joined Chelsea two years ago after playing a key role in Leicester's Premier League title win but was frozen out last season at Stamford Bridge, with his only appearance coming in the Community Shield a year ago.

Dyche said: "He's actually come in and he's fit. We've tested him, so he's more getting used to us. I wasn't going to throw him in today no matter what."

Belfast Telegraph