LIFE has become so much easier for Tony Grant since his toughest opponent joined him at Burnley!

Clarets midfielder Grant was always an admirer of Micah Hyde when he came up against the Jamaican in Watford colours.

So when Hyde arrived at Turf Moor last summer as one of Steve Cotterill's initial signings, Burnley's midfield general was more than happy to welcome his nemesis with open arms.

"If you asked me last year who was the toughest to play against, I would always have told you Micah," revealed Grant.

"I rate him so highly and, having played against him quite a few times now, it's never any different.

"It's always nice to play alongside players you admire and at the end of the day I don't think the gaffer could have bought a better midfielder."

Grant, who could partner Hyde in midfield at Brighton tomorrow if the latter overcomes a hamstring injury, added: "Micah quietly gets about his business and doesn't seem to get many plaudits, but that's why players like myself are happy to set the record straight.

"We see what he does week in and week out - the horrible stuff like the crucial tackles that can win a game as well as the passes that create the chances."

Former Manchester City and Everton midfielder Grant is in a rich vein of form himself, anchoring himself in front of Burnley's back four and kick-starting many of their attacking forays.

He added: "I thought I played pretty well for most of last year and I'd like to think I've carried that on again this season.

"People have mentioned it to me and I am really happy with my form. This season it's carried on and it's just a pity we couldn't get a few more wins on the board.

"We've had a couple of bad results at crucial times and the recent points dropped against Derby and Coventry at home hurt us because, at that time, those points would have put us up there.

"The game at Leeds then became a must-win and I think the 1-0 over Forest last weekend was the same again.

"Without those wins, all of a sudden you get dragged down there without ever feeling you are playing that badly.

"I remember last year we went through a period at the start of the season where we couldn't pick a win up, despite playing great football.

"This year I think we've played equally well without always getting our rewards."

Meanwhile, Clarets boss Cotterill has warned his players they write off Steve Claridge at their peril.

The veteran striker, 38, is set to make his home debut for the Seagulls after signing an initial one-month deal under Mark McGhee.

And Cotterill insists the striker, who has made around 700 first team appearances, can carry on terrorising defences into his forties!

He said: "I'm sure I must have played against Steve somewhere along the line, but I've done a bit of work with Sky with him and I'm looking forward to seeing him.

"He played 90 minutes against West Ham last week in his first game for quite some time, but that's Steve isn't it?

"All credit to him because doing what he's doing is a great achievement and he could go on longer.

"He was always a fit lad, so it's not really any surprise that he's back at this level and I'm sure he can carry on doing the mileage.

"I think he's been quoted as saying he can go on playing until he's 40, but the chances are he could probably do more than that and we won't be taking any chances with him - don't worry about that!"