Nahki Wells has been praised for his “brilliant” performance for Burnley Under-23 as he took another significant step in his return to full fitness.

Wells played his second successive 90 minutes for the under-23 side, who were hammered 6-1 at home by league leaders Sheffield United in the Professional Development League.

Michael Duff, the under-23 manager, said his side were on the receiving end of a harsh lesson but singled out Wells for his workaholic display.

“It’s going to take time and I thought Nahki was brilliant,” Duff told the club’s website. “He just kept going. But our lads have got to learn from that. It’s the harsh reality of budding, aspiring professional footballers.

“They need to remember that every time they walk over the white line. If you think you can just observe a game and jog around like that, that’s what happens.

“It was a harsh lesson. If you want to turn up and not run around, not head it and not kick it, it doesn’t matter what you do with the ball.”

Wells had minor surgery to remove a screw in his ankle before his £5 million move to Burnley from Huddersfield Town on transfer-deadline day in August.

The 27-year-old has now featured three times for the under-23 side as he builds towards match fitness.

Dean Marney, another first-teamer, also played as he continues his recovery from a cruciate knee ligament injury.

“I thought the two first-team lads were outstanding, Duff added. “Deano had a real upturn from his first two 45 minutes, where he was just easing himself in.”

Burnley Under-23’s four-match unbeaten run came to an abrupt halt against United, with Tyler Smith doing the brunt of the damage, scoring a hat-trick.

Dwight McNeil pulled a goal back for Burnley to make it 5-1 with a spectacular, long-range strike, but the visiting side had the last word as Burnley were hit for six in front of first-team staff Ian Woan, Tony Loughlan and Billy Mercer.

“We will learn from things like that,” Duff added. “It’s proved a kick in the backside.

“We’ve gone a month [unbeaten] and people have said nice things, and all of a sudden you take your foot off the gas and that’s what happens.

“It’s a stark reminder of the reality of where they are.

“They need to remember sometimes that they are representing a Premier League football club and Burnley Football Club.”

Duff added: “One thing that the first team, who we are aspiring to be, is that — no matter what happens whatever the result Man City away [or whoever] — they know they have been in a game.

“I’m not sure Sheffield United will have walked off the pitch having the same thoughts. That’s the most disappointing thing, really.”

Burnley face Newcastle United at Turf Moor in the Premier League next Monday.