Wes Burns can hit the heights at right-back for Fleetwood boss Joey Barton

Burns has seven goals this term and provided the cross for Town’s second goal in the capital, one Barton described as possibly his side’s best all season.

The Welshman had played in the role previously for Bristol City and Barton says it is a position he could make him own.

The Town boss said: “A superstar right-back that we have just found within the building! I thought Wes was excellent.

“I’m not sure he will want to play there long-term but the way he played on Tuesday night, who knows?

“He reminded me a lot of Kyle Walker in many regards Could I see him playing at the highest level in that position? If he carries on playing like that, then why not?

“He has everything you could possibly look for from a recruiting stand point: size, athleticism, great feet and he clearly showed he can defend. Obviously he will face stiffer tests but what a performance.”

And with Coyle forced to sit out two more games, Burns is expected to keep the job.

Barton added: “I will have to break it to him gently because he probably wants to get back in the front line and score goals, especially when they are starting to put some really good numbers on the goalscoring board.

“We scored two against Oxford, scored at Rochdale and three the other night.

“Every forward-thinking player wants to score goals but Wes is a great lad, a great team person. He’s a very intelligent boy and footballer.

“For him to step into that position, retain the amount of information he had to take on board in a short space of time and perform to that level speaks a lot about his quality. I’m really pleased with him and hopefully he plays as well on Saturday ... if selected!”

The head coach explained that he chose Burns for the role rather than Nathan Sheron or Ryan Taylor because he wanted more attacking full-backs in his 4-3-3 system.

And he told Burns to model himself more on Barcelona’s Dani Alves than on ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville.

Barton said: “Wimbledon play quite compact, and in the system we now play the full-backs have a more advanced role than they did before Christmas.

“We knew there would be an out-ball and an opportunity to get into space and gallop.

“The second goal for me is arguably the best goal we have scored all season – a fantastic team goal.

“Wes did kind of give us what we were looking for in terms of speed in wide areas.

“I was laughing with Wes in the build-up, saying, ‘Think more Dani Alves than kind of Gary Neville’ – both very good full-backs but slightly different in their approach. Wes certainly took that on board.

“I did hear there were a few raised eyebrows at Wes going in there. It is always nice when he goes in, plays as well as he does and the team get the performance they need.”