BURNLEY manager Brian Laws has assured summer signing Ross Wallace he still has a big part to play this season.

The former Preston winger has been consigned to the bench for the last 10 Championship games after a hamstring injury forced him out of the side in mid-September.

But the 25-year-old had a match-winning impact after coming on as a 66th-minute substitute against Waford on Saturday.

And boss Laws praised the Scot’s attitude after being kept out of the side through the form of Jay Rodriguez and Chris Eagles.

“I spoke to Ross on Thursday about the situation, saying, unfortunately he got injured and lost his place, and the team was doing well,” he said.

“He understood that, but 10 games have gone by, and his frustration is very clear, but I think what epitomises his attitude is that he waits for the opportunity.

“He’s worked hard in training and done everything we’ve asked him, he’s not sulked, he’s got on with it, and that’s a great trait.

“I said to him at half-time, ‘Be ready’, because there might be a period he would be needed to make an impact, and he’s taken his opportunity with both hands.

“His contribution was a goal and a set-up, so you couldn’t have asked for better.

“I don’t think Ross could have expected a better performance coming off the bench, because it’s so hard to get into the game and make an impact.”

But Wallace revealed he had been boosted by the pre-match chat he had with Laws.

“We spoke on Thursday and he told me I’m still a massive part of the plans for the season and that I’m going to get back in shortly,” he said.

“It came round quicker than I thought.

“I’m one of those who believes you’ve got to use the whole squad over the season.

“Somebody might come in for five or six games then someone else comes in and has to do a job.

“Everybody’s got to step up to the plate at some point during the season.

“Hopefully in the next few games I’ll start getting on the scoresheet and creating some more goals.”

And he’s determined to pick up where he left off on Saturday at Coventry, and help the Clarets finally pick up their first away win.

“That’s the one we’re frustrated with. We’ve been comfortable in games and we should be seeing them out away from home,” said Wallace, who won promotion to the Premier League with Sunderland in 2007, despite losing their first four league games, and picking up six points from their first seven away games.

“When I was at Sunderland we were struggling away from home. We were 12th or 13th at Christmas time and we won the league.

“Once you get that run going and get the confidence and the team clicks it’s hard to stop really.”