BURNLEY boss Sean Dyche has encouraged the club’s youth team products to prove they are ready to make the next step in their careers.

Not since Burnley-born Jay Rodriguez has a youngster progressed through the Turf Moor ranks to become an established first team player.

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Steven Hewitt has been knocking on the door for the last couple of seasons but remains on the fringes following loan spells with non-league Alfreton Town and Southport.

Young defenders Tom Anderson and Cameron Dummigan were involved with the first team squad in the opening day game against Leeds United at Elland Road, where both were unused substitutes.

Both were in the 18-man squad, along with young forward Bradley Jackson, in the Capital One Cup game against League One Port Vale last night.

But with Dyche expected to add to his squad before the transfer window shuts on September 1 the trio could move further down the pecking order.

However, Dyche said their focus should remain on ultimately working their way into the first team and showing the right kind of hunger, commitment and desire to keep pushing.

“There are some players that we think are growing. They’re not ready yet, but we think they’re moving forwards,” said Dyche.

“Only time will tell.

“Pre-season’s always a good time to monitor where players are when they come back.

“You can almost see the eye of the tiger – is it there, are they hungry, are they ready? That’s always the time when that starts filtering down.”

Many of the development squad players benefited from loan moves last season.

Anderson had a good spell on loan with Lincoln City in the National League before moving up to League Two on loan with Carlisle United.

Striker Jason Gilchrist benefited from a League Two loan spell also, with Accrington Stanley, and was involved with the first team scene this summer but suffered a broken ankle in the behind closed doors friendly with St Mirren last month.

Northern Ireland Under-19 international Dummigan was fast-tracked through the youth team, signing his first professional contract in April 2014 at the age of 17.