BURNLEY FC: HEWITT SET FOR PRO DEAL

Burnley youngster Steve Hewitt is expected to agree his first professional contract with the club this season after a series of impressive performances in the youth squad.

The 17 year old, currently in the second year of his youth scholarship, was handed a squad number by Eddie Howe this season and has been on the bench twice for the first team.

Brendan Flood, the club's operational director, spoke with the Lancashire Telegraph, "We are trying to leave a little pathway for some of the youth development to have the opportunity to appear. If you're always recruiting players that can sometimes block off opportunities for your youth players."

Graduates of the Burnley youth set up Alex MacDonald, Dominic Knowles and Shay McCartan have been in and around the Clarets' first team of late.