Nicky Hayen discusses Kyle Walker's centre back role for Burnley

Nicky Hayen has conceded playing Kyle Walker at centre-back is an option Burnley are considering for the season ahead.

The 36-year-old has played there in every friendly so far this summer, usually partnering Bashir Humphreys, while Connor Roberts has instead taken the right-back spot.

In the meantime, the Clarets have been linked with a couple of centre-halves in the transfer market in the form of QPR’s Ronnie Edwards and Kojo Peprah Oppong, of Nice.

Hayen also conceded that Axel Tuanzebe, now officially a free agent after coming to the end of his Burnley contract, is still an option.

But the club’s new head coach hasn’t ruled out Walker playing there on a consistent basis during the upcoming Championship campaign.

“That is an option, otherwise he didn't play there in the pre-season,” he told the Burnley Express.

“We know Kyle can play on the right side, he was a natural top player over there, but also in the centre he has his experience.

“He can coach, he handled it quite well today [against Ajax]. We want our team to have as many options as possible, that we can rotate wherever we want without losing quality.”

Burnley recently lost their main centre back Maxime Esteve to RB Leipzig for a reported fee of around £27m.

Hjalmar Ekdal and Joe Worrall are still on Burnley’s books, while Jordan Beyer remains a long-term injury absence.