Reid excited by his new challenge

New face: Steven Reid joins in training on his first day at Gawthorpe on Monday

The 33-year-old former Blackburn Rovers man was swayed by Dyche to add vital knowhow to his Burnley squad ahead of their return to the Premier League.

And Reid feels everything just fell into place: “I did part one of the A licence in the summer, so it’s an avenue that I’m maybe going to look to go down, but playing the amount of Premier League games I did last season I just felt there’s another season in me.

“To be honest it had to be the right challenge, the right club and the right manager as well and luckily for me it all came together and I’m delighted to sign.

“There wouldn’t have been too many who could have persuaded me to sign a deal, and the manager’s done that here.

“The manager wouldn’t have signed me if he didn’t feel I could still do a job on the pitch, so that’s the main thing.”

Dyche is nine years Reid’s senior and was a big influence on his burgeoning career at The Den, and he added: “I’ve always been in touch with the gaffer for years.

“We obviously played together at Millwall and he’s been an influence on my career with guidance and advice on and off the pitch.

“There were a couple of clubs interested but as soon as the contract was offered to sign, there wasn’t a question in my mind to do it.”

Reid has a decade of experience in the top flight with Rovers and West Brom, but knows he has a fight on his hands to get into the starting line-up at Turf Moor: “It’s up to me to try to do the business in pre-season. The lads that have got the team promoted have done superbly and it’s my job to try to find a way in.

“I’ve got to be realistic myself and where I’m at in my career and know that I’m not going to play 38 league games next season.

“But as and when the manager needs me and whatever position he sees fit hopefully I’ll be ready to do the job.”

And he sees no reason why the Clarets can’t upset the pundits and survive in the Premier League: “It’s a team that can go into the Premier League with no fear, just give it a right go.

“We’ve seen that the last few years with teams that have got promoted are going to the bigger grounds and getting results, there’s no reason why we can’t do the same this year.”

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