Burnley v Middlesbrough FC: Kim Hellberg says don't be fooled by Clarets' slow start
Kim Hellberg is refusing to read too much into Burnley's slow start to the season before his Middlesbrough side try to continue it.
The Clarets have yet to win since relegation from the Premier League, knocked out of the League Cup by Bradford City after penalty shoot-outs in both matches, and with one point from their first three Championship games ahead of Wednesday's 8pm kick-off at Turf Moor.
But Hellberg has pointed to the opposition to argue the league results are deceptive, and anyway believes both sides will get better as the season continues.
"It's just been three games and it tells you a lot about how tough the Championship is," he said.
"Burnley did a good game against West Ham in the first one, coming back in that (to draw 2-2), then played very tough games, West Bromwich and Norwich away, which are tough games for everyone (they lost both).
"They've had spells in the games where they've been very good but they haven't put together 90 minutes yet. You can see the quality in the team but it's also a new coach, a lot of players in and out. Burnley will get stronger every day.
"They've only played one home game against the biggest and best team I this division, West Ham.
"We have a lot of good players, (and) a lot of good players coming in. We're getting better every day."
Boro are without the injured Jeremy Sarmiento and are unclear if new signing Rokas Pukstas will be available.
"I don't think he can be in the squad," said Hellberg of Sarmiento. "It was more a precaution. I think QPR or Crystal Palace (in the cup) is when he is back.
"(Pukstas) has done nothing with us yet because of the visa. If everything is done, he could be on the bench."