KEVIN McDonald has told Burnley fans to expect more from him when he returns from injury.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been out of action for a month with an ankle problem, but after completing the first half of last night’s reserves win against Blackpool, he is determined to take the Championship by storm when he is back to full fitness.

McDonald had begun to settle into his first season south of the border, following his £500,000 summer move from Dundee, before the untimely knock at Swansea City ruled him out of the next four games.

The two-week break for internationals has given the youngster extra time to recuperate before the Clarets begin another hectic fixture schedule with the visit of Birmingham on Saturday.

Whether McDonald is passed fit enough to face the league leaders remains to be seen, but he feels he benefited from last night’s run-out.

“I needed a game so it was good for me to play," said the Scotland Under 21 international, who has been frustrated by his recent absence after forming a promising central midfield partnership with Chris McCann.

But he has vowed to come back stronger.

“The season's been okay so far, but it’s hard to say really because I'd only started to get into it just before getting injured,” continued McDonald, who scored 11 goals for Dundee last term but is still waiting for his first in a Burnley shirt.

“There were a couple of games I felt good in, but even so I know I wasn’t at my best. I wasn’t feeling as sharp as I should be.

“I started to play decent football in a couple of games, including the win at home to Blackpool, so hopefully when I get back I'll be as good as that and I can carry on from where I left off.”