JUNIOR Stanislas has never been in the away dressing room at Upton Park, but Burnley boss Eddie Howe has backed him to get his bearings quickly today.

The 22-year-old spent almost half his life on West Ham’s books, after first joining the club at the tender age of 11.

Now settled in the north west, he returns to his old club for the first time since his first transfer in August, along with Zavon Hines.

Two assists for Stanislas in the Clarets’ midweek win over Ipswich could be enough to stop Ross Wallace earning an immediate recall after suspension, while Hines is likely to start on the bench this afternoon.

And although Howe accepts Stanislas may be keen to show the Hammers what they’re missing – after managerial changes and injury hindered his progress at the club – the Burnley boss is more concerned about the winger’s long-term prospects.

“Junior is a young player who's missed a lot of time through injury in the last couple of seasons so he’s got a lot more potential left in him and a lot more improving to do,” said Howe.

“But I think he’s shown in flashes this season what he’s capable of. I think he’s been behind a lot of our goals.

“You just want to see him get the ball more and probably have a bigger influence in games, but that’s partly down to the team as well supplying him with the ball more.

“We’re pleased with him but there is a lot more to come, and that’s the same for Zavon as well.

“We like both players, but they are players for the future and people sometimes have to remember that they’re still learning the game, but we’re pleased with them.”

Of their former emplyers providing an added incentive today, Howe added: “I think it’s natural to have that feeling, you can’t take that away from either player.

“They will feel like they’ve got points to prove but from my side of things it’s all about their overall progression as footballers, not just in this one game – it’s making sure they continue to impress week in, week out.

“But they will see this as a massive game.”

Stanislas progressed from West Ham’s Centre of Excellence to the youth team, graduating to senior status in 2008 – the year after Hines.

A spell on loan at Southend set him up for his Hammers debut in March 2009, as a 68th minute substitute for Savio.

Stanislas scored on his full debut the following month, grabbing the first in a 2-0 home win over Sunderland.

He stayed in the side for the rest of the season and was a regular in 2009/10.

But once Gianfranco Zola left the club, the Londoner struggled to establish himself under Avram Grant, while a four-month injury lay-off last season pushed him further down the pecking order.