Dyche convinced Tarkowski can be midfield maestro for Clarets

James Tarkowski is best known for plying his trade at centre-back, but Burnley manager Sean Dyche is adamant the 24-year-old can thrive in midfield.

Tarkowski was deployed into the heart of the midfield during the FA Cup fourth-round win over Bristol City, and produced an assured display.

With Steven Defour and Dean Marney out injured, and Jeff Hendrick suspended for the next two matches, the former Brentford man could well have to move forward from centre-half again.

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But Dyche is confident Tarkowski has the skillset to cope with the transition up the pitch.

“The reason behind it is that he’s got good feet – he can play, there’s no two ways about it,” said Dyche. “He moves well for a big lad and he’s sharp on his feet.

“We didn’t want to put the team at risk – because we respected Bristol City – but we wanted to see him in action. He’s been in there a few times, late on in games, and I thought he delivered a fair performance.

“There are still things that he’ll learn in that role but you’ve got to consider that it’s the first time that he’s played there for Burnley Football Club.

“He’s got really good feet. I think that all of our centre-halves are good with their feet here but he is particular good – I think it’s a real strength of his. He can pass and he can play.

“He only really got caught out a couple of times when the game was behind him because when you’re a centre-half the game is in front of you.”