Dale Stephens has been backed to keep improving after being thrown in at the deep end by Burnley.

The former Albion midfielder started the 1-0 home defeat to Southampton less than 48 hours after completing his move to Turf Moor.

Burnley are short of numbers in midfield.

Stephens got his first Premier League outing since helping Albion win at Turf Moor two months ago.

It was the 100th top-tier appearance of his career.

Clarets boss Sean Dyche said: "I thought second half he got stronger, first half it looked a bit quick for him and he looked like he was getting his eye in and getting his body going.

"He knows about the Premier League but he hasn't trained much in the last few days while this has been going on.

"I threw him in slightly out of necessity, he is a good player but ideally we normally hold players back and give them a week of training with us and a feel for what we do.

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"So I had to ask him to do a shift tonight and he did that.

"Second half I thought it was a good performance and he will get stronger and fitter."