McNeil Set For Century

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Clarets' winger hoping to mark 100th appearance with important win

2021-04-09T08:55:00.000Z

McNeil Set For Century

Clarets' winger hoping to mark 100th appearance with important win

2021-04-09T08:55:00.000Z

Clarets' winger hoping to mark 100th appearance with important win

Dwight McNeil will join the Clarets’ 100 club on Sunday after clocking up a century of first-team appearances.

The 21-year-old is in line to reach three figures against Newcastle United – less than three years after making his senior debut.

And McNeil – whose first appearance came via the bench late in the Clarets’ final game of the 2017/18 season – admitted the landmark comes as a pleasant surprise.

“Hopefully, I’ll make it on Sunday,” said the England Under-21 international, who is set to make his 89th Premier League appearance against the Geordies.

Dyche: Dwight Can be Smiles Better - Image 1

“That’s my aim, being part of it and getting that 100th appearance. It’s a good milestone for me at such a young age.

“I didn’t know it was a hundred already because it’s come round so fast.

“Looking back, compared to where I am now, I didn’t think I’d have that many games under my belt and the experience I’ve had.

“I think it’s credit to myself and also the players and the staff to have had the belief and the trust in me.

“It’s nice to have played that many games with the lads in such a short space of time and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

“I can’t believe how fast it’s come but I’m happy with that. Hopefully there are a few more to come because I love it here.”

McNeil has barely missed a game since emerging as a regular starter for the Clarets at the end of 2018.

He has quickly become a key part of Sean Dyche’s line-up and will be looking to help Dyche’s men move closer to guaranteed Premier League safety at the weekend.

The Clarets lost for only the second time in nine league games at Southampton last weekend after taking a 2-0 lead.

And while leaving St Mary’s Stadium empty-handed was a disappointment, the Clarets’ increased attacking threat was again evident as they scored twice on the road for the second game running.

“We’re starting to create more,” added McNeil – a vital part of the armoury whose goal in a 2-0 win at Everton last month was short-listed for the Premier League March goal-of-the-month.

“We all know we’ve got goalscorers in the team. Vyds and Woody have been doing really well, both of them scoring at the weekend and Woody has scored in the last three games, which he’s capable of doing.

“We’ve got Jay-Rod coming off the bench, who’s got a goal in him as well, and it’s nice when you’re in the team you’ve got those three strikers to look at and Barnesy when he’s fit. You know they’ll score goals for you.”

The Clarets’ recent run of form has lifted them seven points clear of the relegation places ahead of Fulham’s home game against Wolves on Friday night.

A victory for the Cottagers would put Newcastle in the bottom three ahead of their visit to Turf Moor.

And with the Clarets four points ahead of the Tynesiders, a first home game in more than a month offers the chance for Dyche’s men to make another decisive move after a run of five successive draws at Turf Moor.

“It’s always nice to be back at home. We haven’t been there in a while but we’re looking forward to getting back on that pitch and hopefully getting the important three points,” said McNeil.

“Everyone is still looking towards that 40-mark. We just want to get to 40 points as fast as possible.

“You want to get it done. It’s not nice looking over your shoulder, but I think we’ll be all right.

“It’s always nice to get points on the board, especially against teams around us.

“At least when we play them they’re not winning but it’s always nice to get three points instead of one and we’ll be looking to do that on Sunday."