Clarets manager Nicky Hayen has said he is looking forward to the upcoming international break as it will give him a chance to work with his new and returning players on the training pitch.

The Belgian, speaking ahead of his team’s upcoming visit to Swansea City, will be hopeful of gaining at least another point in Wales following last week’s encouraging draw at Wrexham, but believes his team will be stronger in the coming weeks.

Hayen also admitted his selection of five different centre-back partnerships in the six games was not ideal, and another reason why the break on September 21st will give him time to work with the squad.

“It’s really important to have a settled centre-back partnership. I mentioned after the game at Wrexham, do you really think I don’t want a consistent defence or a consistent team like having 11 players who can play three, four games in a row?

Nicky Hayen speaks to the media ahead of the visit to Swansea City. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard

placeholder image — Nicky Hayen speaks to the media ahead of the visit to Swansea City. Photo: Kelvin Lister-Stuttard

“But at the moment we lack the fitness and we have to protect our players. You saw with Dastan he played the second consecutive game and picked up an injury. We just have to be protective with our players, we try to manage them in the best way, but of course you want to be a consistent team.

“The international break will be really important, I’m not going to lie about that,” Hayen added. “We will recover a lot of players – Josh Cullen will be back, Dastan, Jacob. The other new signings who are improving day by day also need a few weeks to be 100%. So if you bring everything together then this international break will be key for us.”