Kyle Walker took Burnley dropping in ‘professional way’

Kyle Walker took his dropping from Burnley’s starting XI in a “professional way”, according to his manager Nicky Hayen.

The full-back was consigned to the bench last Saturday as the Clarets continued their winless start to the season with a 1-1 draw against Derby County.

It came just days after Walker had spoken candidly about his own performances as well as the team’s horror start to the season, both in interviews with the local press and in meetings with club staff and the Fan Advisory Board.

When asked how Walker took the news, Hayen said: “Like a professional football player, of course.

“Kyle wants to play, everyone wants to play in our squad, so that's normal. But he took it in a professional way.

“Everyone wants to show themselves on the training pitch to be part of this team and that's the same for Kyle.”

It wasn’t the only big decision Hayen took against the Rams, with the under-pressure Clarets boss also deciding to take Max Weiss out of the firing line.

The stopper, who is now away on international duty with Germany Under-21s, had conceded 16 goals in his first seven games, with a number of unconvincing performances culminating in that big error at Swansea City, which proved to be the final straw.

But Coudert, a summer signing from Brest, appeared far more stable on his Burnley league debut, making two or three good stops and taking good control of his penalty area.

“I think Greg played a decent, good game,” Hayen said.

“He was comfortable on the ball and he did the saves that he made, so he played a fair game for me.”