JAMES Tarkowski has been the man of the moment for the Clarets this season, attracting plenty of praise as he slips seamlessly into Michael Keane's shoes.

But the former Brentford centre back, who has had to be patient for his chance following his move from Griffin Park in January 2016, said seeing his name in lights remains 'surreal'.

The 24-year-old's performances at Liverpool and Everton were highlighted on Match of the Day, but the Moston-born man still hasn't got used to seeing his displays highlighted on the nation's favourite football show.

“When I sit there watching, it is a bit surreal sometimes,” he said.

“But I’ve always tried to have the mindset of never too high with the highs and never too low with the lows.

“There’s always a lot of talk when someone puts in a good performance on television, but I don’t want to get carried away with stuff like that because it’s a long season.

“We’re only (eight) games in so far, so there’s a lot more to prove and to show.

“Just because I’m on telly a couple of times, I don’t want to get carried away with that and then if a bad performance comes, not to get too beaten up about it because there’s always another game to come."

Tarkowski has started 12 successive Premier League games now and he's grasped the opportunity handed to him by Dyche with both hands.

Keane's £30million departure to Everton looked to have left a hole in the Clarets backline, but Tarkowski has filled it in style so far and he's determined to continue impressing as he targets a long Premier League career.

“I want to spend the rest of my career at this level now. And I won’t do that just by having seven or eight good games and then taking my foot off the gas. I’ve got to keep at it on a Saturday or a Sunday and right through the week," he said.

“It’s nice when you wait so long and you get your chance, that you do put performances in at the start and you show it was worth the wait.

“But it’s a long-term goal and there’s a lot more to come from myself and from the team.

“We’re looking forward to the rest of the season and long may the form we’re in continue.”