RICHARD Duffy is happy to help Burnley out of a hole for as long as he is wanted.

The highly-rated Portsmouth defender is mid-way through the first month of a loan spell at Turf Moor.

Duffy, 19, has already grabbed a slice of the action with the Clarets, appearing as a substitute against Stoke City and making his full first division debut against Cardiff City, before joining up with the Wales U21 squad for last week's clash with England at Ewood Park.

And the former Swansea City stopper, who is set for another U21 start against Poland tonight, is happy to gain more valuable experience at Turf Moor if both parties are happy to extend the deal.

Duffy, who cost Pompey £300,000 last January, said: "I'm here for the first month initially and then we'll have to see if Burnley want to keep me and if Portsmouth are happy for me to stay.

"From my own point of view though, it would be great to stay here for another month and get some games under my belt.

"It's been a little disappointing not to get a chance at Portsmouth after going there eager to break into the Premiership.

"But I wasn't expecting to go straight into the team because I can appreciate you have to work yourself into a good team.

"It's a steep learning curve and that's why I'm here at Burnley, who I am grateful for giving me this chance.

"At Swansea I played 20-odd first team games and it hasn't happened for me yet at Portsmouth, so I needed first team football.

"I'm getting that here at a good standard, so hopefully I can get more experience and see what happens when I go back."

Duffy was one of the stars on show in Wales' 2-0 defeat to the England U21s last Friday, frustrating Blackburn Rovers Jonathan Stead with a towering display at centre back.

But he acknowledges that holding down that role at Burnley is a near impossible task while Frank Sinclair and John McGreal remain on song.

Duffy added: "Centre back is actually my favoured position, but obviously Burnley's defensive record speaks for itself.

"I know how hard it will be getting in there because Frank and John are two great players."

Duffy may get that chance sooner, rather than later though, with Burnley back in action at Ipswich on Saturday and then facing three home games against Coventry, Derby County and Aston Villa in the following 10 days.

In addition, both Sinclair and Michael Duff are currently just one booking away from a suspension that could open the door for Duffy, who only made the bench for the Clarets' last game at Reading.

Burnley midfielder Micah Hyde will miss Jamaica's World Cup qualifying match at home to El Salvador tomorrow.

Hyde picked up a second yellow card in successive matches against Panama at the weekend, triggering an automatic one-match ban.