THE newest member of Burnley’s Irish contingent is expecting Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick to step up to another level for the Clarets this season.

Jon Walters arrived in the summer to take the number of Ireland internationals in Sean Dyche’s squad to five.

Hendrick was a £10million addition from Derby on deadline day last summer, while Brady arrived for £13million from Norwich on the last day of the January transfer window.

Both had their moments for Burnley last season, but having now enjoyed a full pre-season with the Clarets the duo have started this term in good form, although Hendrick has recently been hit by a groin injury.

And Walters believes there could be more to come from both.

“Probably Robbie more so. Jeff played more than Robbie towards the end (of last season),” Walters said.

“Both are exceptional talents and I think Robbie on his day has the best delivery I’ve seen. His delivery is worth a lot, especially from set pieces. He can score free kicks and play in a number of positions.

“I played against him at left back and he’s very difficult to play against. He can play left midfield and he played centre midfield for Ireland at the Euros.

“I expect the two of them to step on again and not rest on their laurels. I’ve seen that in pre-season how hard they were working behind the scenes.”

Hendrick’s injury meant he missed Ireland’s World Cup qualifying double header over the last week, but Walters, a summer arrival from Stoke City was involved alongside Brady and Stephen Ward, while Kevin Long was in the squad.

The latter didn’t add to the three caps he accumulated in June, but Walters, who recovered from injury to feature for Martin O’Neill’s men in the qualifiers, has been impressed with the centre back, who is now third choice for Burnley behind Ben Mee and James Tarkowski.

“I didn’t know too much about him when he came in with Ireland during the summer,” the 33-year-old admitted.

“I knew he came in towards the end of last season and did really well. He came in (with Ireland) and I was really impressed by him.

“I know Martin (O’Neill) likes players who can attack the ball in both boxes, I thought big Shane Duffy could but he (Long) was like a magnet all week heading and kicking things. He did really well.”

Walters will return to club duty this weekend as Burnley resume their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace at Turf Moor on Sunday.

It’s still early days at his new side but the experienced Walters has been impressed with his new manager so far.

“I’ve had so many managers over the years, good characters, but he is right up there,” the frontman said of Dyche.

“He is very good in terms of interaction with the lads. He gets involved, lads don’t get away with anything – in a good way. He runs the camp very well and in training he gets his point across very well. I have been very impressed so far.”