Ivan Cleary is thinking long term with Matt Burton.
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The Penrith coach isn't even sure what position the Dubbo junior will be play when he hits his peak but he knows wherever it may be, his performances will be vital for the Panthers.
The 20-year-old Burton has only started three NRL matches but earned rave reviews for each.
He's recently dropped off the bench for the Panthers following Tyrone May's return from suspension but Cleary insists the former Western Rams star is still a big part of the plans at Penrith.
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"Burto's only young, he's only 20, and he's still working out his body," Cleary told the Sportsday NSW radio show.
"It was his first pre-season this year and I've got a lot of time for Matt.
"He's going to be part of our club for a long time and he'll be right. He'll work his way in there."
And if he does work in there and claim a starting spot, it might not necessarily be in the halves.
That's where Burton has played the bulk of his rugby league in recent times but Cleary said the youngster's development shows no sign of stopping and that could see him turn into more of a ball-playing back-rower.
"I look at him and John Sutton comes to mind so who knows," Cleary stated, referencing the former South Sydney great.
"As I said, he's only 20 and he's probably put on five kilos since he's first come into the full-time ranks only this time last year so I don't know where it's going to stop.
"I know he's a very good performer and we're happy to have him."