BURNLEY midfielder Chris McCann admits it's time he became a man.

The 20-year-old is among a crop of promising youngsters to have come through the youth ranks at Turf Moor who have been shielded from the limelight by manager Steve Cotterill.

But after a blistering start to the season at the heart of the Clarets midfielder, the Irish starlet is ready to step out of the shadows and build on his promising career.

He said: "In the last two years the gaffer has protected me and made a few comments to the fans about me still being a kid.

"But I am 20 now and I don't think I can rely on the manager any more to keep covering for me.

"I think it's time for me to grow up and be a man.

"I can't hide any more if I want to produce the types of performances I know I need.

"There is so much competition in this midfield and one bad game means you can find yourself back down the pecking order again."

McCann was a mainstay in the middle of the park for the Clarets until suffering a hamstring injury against Bristol City last month.

And although he made an almost miraculous recovery in time to be included in last week's squad against Cardiff - even featuring as a second half substitute - he admitted the injury came at the worst possible time.

"It's been a massive confidence boost to be selected. Nobody here can take their place for granted and you have to work really hard to stay there," he said.

"All the lads are dying to play and hopefully I can do well to keep my place.

"The injury I had came at a bad time, especially given the good run we were on.

"But I'm enjoying my football at the moment and things seem to be going well.

"I've been told to get into the box quite a bit more because I seem to have a knack of sneaking in and getting on the end of things without being picked up."