BURNLEY have signed Southampton's England U18 midfielder Nathan Dyer on loan ahead of tonight's Championship clash with Hull City.

The 17-year-old wide man, who can operate on either wing, has made three appearances for the Saints this season, including a debut goal in the Carling Cup victory over Southend.

And he could now be handed a Clarets debut in front of the Sky cameras as Steve Cotterill's side look to bounce back to winning ways.

Southampton boss Harry Redknapp, who also farmed out Dexter Blackstock on loan to Derby yesterday, said: "Nathan has joined Burnley on loan.

"He needs games under his belt and we have the likes of Ricardo Fuller, Theo Walcott, Brett Ormerod and Marian Pahars ahead of him at the moment."

Dyer, a member of the successful Saints youth side that won the FA Premier Academy League and reached the FA Youth Cup Final last season, was recently rewarded for some fine performances with a first professional contract and made his England debut for the U18s against Norway in June.