Centurion Stephens Out To Build On Solid Start

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New signing pleased to make instant debut and now looking for first points

2020-10-01T16:00:01.478Z

Centurion Stephens Out To Build On Solid Start

New signing pleased to make instant debut and now looking for first points

2020-10-01T16:00:01.478Z

Dale Stephens is ready to kick on as the Clarets go looking for their first Premier League points of the season.

Stephens slotted smoothly into the Clarets midfield for an instant debut against Southampton last weekend.

And the midfielder was pleased to get his first Burnley outing under his belt as he chalked up the 100th top-flight appearance of his career.

“I want to play at this level as long as I can. To come through the door and play straight away was what I needed,” said Stephens, whose only previous appearance this season had come in a Carabao Cup tie for Brighton.

“I was happy to be playing. I had only trained once with the team before and it might take a few training sessions getting used to the new ideas.

“I’m glad I played 90 minutes. It was exactly what I needed.”

Centurion Stephens Out To Build On Solid Start - Image 1

Stephens became the Clarets’ first outfield signing of the summer transfer window when he arrived at Turf Moor just two days before facing the Saints.

The 31-year-old was unable to help Burnley avoid a 1-0 defeat as Sean Dyche’s men paid the price for conceding an early goal.

But Stephens and his new team-mates grew into the contest to seemingly merit some reward and avoid a second successive league loss.

And he is confident about the Clarets’ prospects as they head to Newcastle United on Saturday before signing off for the upcoming international break.

“That’s why I came to this football club. I wanted a new challenge and I think it’s the perfect fit for me,” he added.

“It’s a group that works hard. That’s what the manager demands and that’s what I demand of myself. That’s the way we’re going to improve.

“We have been running with a few injuries but there are no excuses.

“The gaffer won’t allow that in the changing room and whoever comes in is good enough to play in this team and we will look to build on what we did in the second half last week.”