Burnley Under-23 boss Steve Stone is delighted having Kevin Long part of his team.

The Republic of Ireland international played 90 minutes for the Clarets youngsters in a comfortable 2-0 victory over Watford on Monday. Stone believes Long can provide a shining light to the likes of Oliver Younger, who started alongside the 28-year-old, and Bobby Thomas who came off the bench fresh from signing a new contract at Turf Moor.

"One of the things that Bobby needs know is guidance," said Stone to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

"He gets guidance from me and Faz (Andy Farrell) a lot.

"Longy will give him a different experience and a different voice. Probably a calmer voice and one of assurance and one of a Premier League player. A Premier League player has a feel about him, he has size, strength, speed and a calmness about him. Longy had that in him, he looked like a man and Bobby has to aspire to that and he has the physical attributes to do that.

"He was great in both boxes, he was aggressive, he takes a forward step instead of a backwards step. He challenged for everything.

"He doesn't have to over-complicate things, he just has to head it and learn the game and he will have a real chance but there is a long way to go."