Burnley chairman Alan Pace 'disappointed' not to add to squad, but Sean Dyche in relaxed mood

But he accepts there may have to be patience as we approach Monday’s 11 p.m. deadline.

The club have yet make a signing in the January window, although they are monitoring a number of situations.

Burnley had an offer for Stoke City’s Republic of Ireland Under 21 international defender Nathan Collins knocked back on Tuesday, and they have had conversations with Everton and Bournemouth as regards right back Jonjoe Kenny and forward Josh King respectively.

Pace said in his programme notes for Wednesday night’s 3-2 win over Aston Villa – his first game at Turf Moor: “I know that Monday will also be earmarked in many supporters’ diaries, as Transfer Deadline Day.

“The January Transfer Window is always a tricky one for clubs to negotiate, and it has been even more difficult this season, with many clubs reluctant to let players go from their squads given the congested fixture calendar and risk of COVID-19 isolation.

“I have been disappointed that we haven’t been able to add to the squad, but I can assure you that is not for lack of trying.

“The fact that, at the time of writing, there have been just six new signings across the entire Premier League, gives a strong indication of the challenging marketplace we are operating in.

“I remain committed to helping Sean strengthen the side in areas where he feels it is required, but that process will take time. Our approach will be one of evolution rather than revolution, as we look to build on the strong performances in recent weeks and reach our goals for this season.”

Dyche is as relaxed as we have seen him for some time in a transfer window, with his squad close to being fully fit, while his side are now nine points clear of trouble.

He said on Wednesday night: “January is a very difficult time, every window is difficult for us full stop, the money and resources you need to put in.

“Aston Villa are a good show of that, £220m or so in the last 18 months, and we’re still at a bag of chips, so it’s one of those risk and reward situations.

“I don’t think there’s going to be radical change, but if something becomes available, and we can affect it, and it will better us immediately, or through development as we’ve done many times, then, of course, we’ll be looking into things, as we are.”

But he knows the squad will have to be added to sooner or later: “You can’t guarantee the future without investment, we are going to have to invest in players, look at players, but they still have to be the right ones.

“In balance to that, I’ve always said when this group is fully fit, I think we’ve got a good and active group for a club like Burnley.

“We’ve not put huge resources into it, but built something, and I think that’s a powerful thing when you’ve built a connection with your players, they are a connected group, it’s a powerful thing in sport and in football.”