'He has won fans over with graft, endeavour and quality'

DYCHE SALUTES LEADING LIGHT DWIGHT

- DAVID ANDERSON

SEAN DYCHE knew when he handed Dwight McNeil his Burnley debut at the age of 18 that he would go on to light up the Premier League.

McNeil has been outstanding during Dyche’s 11 months at Goodison Park and no Everton player can match his tally of seven goals and six assists.

Dyche has nurtured McNeil since Burnley picked him up when he was released by Manchester United at 14 and always felt he had a big future.

“I always said to him, and no disrespect to Burnley, but Burnley at that time was a big stepping stone for him to bigger clubs,” said the Everton boss.

“With all due respect, Everton is a bigger club. So, yes, I could see him going down that road. I didn’t know which club, but I always saw him going on and moving on.