SAM Vokes has hailed the role Burnley boss Sean Dyche played in his development.

The Wales international left the Clarets for Stoke City on transfer deadline day after seven years at Turf Moor.

And the 29-year-old said Dyche gave him belief and confidence to develop into a Premier League striker during his time with Burnley.

“The impact he has had on me has been huge,” Vokes told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“Before he came in at Burnley I was in and out of the team and before that at Wolves I had been out on loan a few times.

“Even at the start at Burnley I was behind Charlie Austin and Jay Rodriguez but the first full season he believed in me and Danny Ings.

“I think we were the only two strikers at the club, but he gave us the confidence to go and play in a 4-4-2 and develop a partnership and it paid off.”

Vokes has spoken of the difficult decision to leave Burnley but admitted a desire of first team football, and his eagerness to keep his place in the Wales squad, meant it was a move he had to take.

“It was an honest conversation when it came to leaving,” Vokes said of his chat with Dyche.

“I am a very honest person and I wanted to play regular football. It was the right opportunity to go for a fresh start and I think we both understood that and it made it a bit easier.”

Vokes now hopes to help Stoke find the form in the Championship and try and ensure he remains part of Ryan Giggs’ plans for the national team.

“Playing for Wales is a big thing for me and I have always said that that starts at club level,” added Vokes.

“If you are not in your club side then you won’t get into the Welsh side because we have a really strong group with Wales at the moment.

“That was part of the reason to go as well because I want to be playing for Wales if I can. We have had some great moments with Wales recently.”

The standout was reaching the semi-finals of the European Championships in 2016.

Vokes was on target in the last eight victory over Belgium on the back of a fine season at club level when he helped fire the Clarets to the Premier League.

And he admits it would be great to have a repeat with his new club and lead Stoke back into the top flight, and a potential reunion with Burnley, before helping Wales reach next summer’s Euros.

“That season with Burnley, getting promoted and then going to the European Championships with Wales and scoring against Belgium was the best in my career,” said Vokes.

“It would be great to try and do that again and get Stoke promoted and go to the next Euro’s with Wales. That would be something I would love to do.”

Stoke are currently 17th in the Championship, 13 points behind the play-off places, and although a top six push looks a long shot, Vokes wants to help set up a return to Burnley with his new club in the Premier League.

“That would be great,” he added. “We want to try and get up with Stoke and then who knows and I am sure Burnley will stay up.

“A reunion in the Premier League would be great.”