'Back Burnley boss Sean Dyche or risk losing him', says former Clarets skipper

The ex-Jamaica international, who was speaking to GentingBet, said that he could understand if the Turf Moor chief decided to weigh up his options at the end of the season.

Burnley's threadbare squad has been pushed to its limits since Project Restart kicked in with Chris Wood, Ashley Barnes, Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Robbie Brady all sidelined through injury.

Jay Rodriguez joined the out-of-action quartet for the trip to Selhurst Park earlier this month and now there are doubts over whether Jack Cork and Ben Mee will play any further part this term.

"Dyche could be looking at his options and thinking he’s taken Burnley as far as they can go with the budget," said the one-time Chelsea defender.

"There are reports of unrest between the first team management staff and the board - how true that is, I don't know. You just listen to what you're hearing.

"Sean Dyche has probably recognised that unless he gets some help there's only so much he can do with the budget he has got to go up against other Premier League teams.

"Dyche deserves backing, and he’s shown that with what he's done in the football club since he's arrived.

"If he doesn't get it, there'll be a lot of people looking at the opportunity to bring it into their football club.

"He's obviously ambitious and has taken so much time in putting a structure into Burnley, but he will probably look at it as a job not quite finished.

"But obviously, with the job that he's done, the frustration of not being able to keep up means that he probably will look at his different options."

Dyche's group was further depleted last month when the likes of Joe Hart, Aaron Lennon and Jeff Hendrick confirmed their departures.

He was only able to name a full 20-man matchday squad for the first time since the recommencement of the campaign in the 1-1 home draw against Sheffield United.

Sinclair feels that it's imperative for the club to replenish their numbers over the summer if they are to continue to challenge in the Premier League.

He said: "Burnley need strength in depth to challenge. When you look at Burnley and see the 13 or 14 players that play in the Premier League for Burnley, there’s not much strength in depth.

"If you ask that question to Sean Dyche, he would want a host of players to strengthen a few departments in his team, whether it be defensively, midfield or attacking options as well.

"You only have to look at Burnley having two injured strikers at the moment and see them really struggling now to build a team who can be a threat in the Premier League.

"So I'd say strength in depth and quality into the squad would be more of a concern for Sean Dyche."

Remarkably, despite Dyche's hands being tied, the Turf Moor chief has guided the Clarets to ninth spot in the top flight following a run of just one defeat in 11.

A second European venture remains a distinct possibility, something Sinclair feels Dyche deserves huge credit for.

"European football would be unbelievable for Burnley," he said. "Sean Dyche has done an incredible job at the club and he has slowly but surely improved every aspect of the football club and including their league standing every season.

"The next step for Burnley now would be to try and finish in Europe again and then try and strengthen from there.

"But that's not an easy thing for them to do because they're up against it financially. So, you have to give Sean even more credit for that."