GRAEME Souness has revealed he agreed to let Jay McEveley join Burnley in a quest to see how he performs in a new position.

McEveley made the short trip down the M65 earlier this week after Rovers sanctioned a three-month loan deal with the Clarets.

And Souness hopes to use it as an opportunity to see how McEveley copes in his preferred central defensive role.

For the versatile teenager has already sampled life in the first team after making his Premiership debut for Rovers at the age of 17.

But all of his nine league appearances so far have come at left-back and Souness wants to see how he handles himself in a more central role in the rough and tumble of the First Division.

"That's Jay's favourite position, as I understand it, and we'll have someone there watching him in every game," said Souness.

"I see him long-term as a centre back rather than a full-back and that's the way he sees himself, which is even more important."

Souness raved about McEveley's performances last season, particularly when he threw him in against Manchester United for a Worthington Cup semi-final at Old Trafford in which he was given the task of marking England captain David Beckham.

But he then lost his place following the signing of Vratislav Gresko from Palma and he hasn't played in the first team since.

So when Burnley boss Stan Ternent inquired about taking him to Turf Moor, Souness was only too happy to say 'yes', although he was keen to stress that McEveley remains a big part of his future plans for the club.

"Jay got into our first team last year and he did very well," said Souness.

"This year, we knew there was going to be a reaction because he's still only a young boy and when you're young, your form does go up and down.

"So he hasn't had a real sniff this season so it's important he gets more first team football under his belt.

"That's why he's gone to Burnley and I'm sure he'll do very well there."

McEveley is relishing the chance to get some more first team games under his belt, particularly during a period in the season when matches come thick and fast.

"Terry Darracott (the chief scout) and Alan Murray called me in and said 'Stan Ternent's been on the phone and the gaffer thinks it will be good for you', so I've joined Burnley to get some experience and hopefully I'll come back stronger," said McEveley.

"I've been on the fringe of things this season, travelling as 17th man now and again, and I've also been on the bench once but I needed to start somewhere else for a bit and this should kick it off again."

A similar arrangement certainly benefited Andy Todd, whose days at Ewood appeared to be numbered after Souness signed Lorenzo Amoruso and Markus Babbel in the summer.

That led to Todd joining Burnley on loan but a spate of injuries prompted Souness to recall him and he's been a permanent fixture in the side ever since.

"Whatever training Stan gave him it obviously worked because since he's come back to us, he's been outstanding," added Souness.