Burnley's 'big shift' in the PL is a product of hard work, says boss Sean Dyche!

The Clarets climbed off the bottom of the pile when they last met Brighton with a goalless draw doubling their points tally for the campaign.

But since that stalemate against the Seagulls at the Amex in November, Burnley have since added a further 20 points to move clear of the bottom three.

"I'm never short of pride for the players, win or lose," said Dyche. "They've given us a lot over the years. There's always been an earthiness to what we do and there's a reality.

"There's a view that you're punching above your weight and there's a view that you have to work hard for everything you get.

"There's a view that we could have a tough spell in our season, but equally there has been a growing view that we'll find a way.

"I'm pleased to say that we often do find a way of maximising what we do. These players are honest enough and well aware that there are many different ways of winning at this level and we've had to do that."

He added: "The margins are tighter [against teams around you in the table], but the points are important no matter where they're coming from.

"I look backwards just to reflect on where we were and where we are now so I haven't lost sight that after seven games we were on two points.

"Now we are where we are so that's a big shift. There's some good work being done and we've got to continue moving forward.

“You’ve got to do that to win games.”

The Clarets will take on opposition in the bottom half of the table for the first time in seven games having beaten Sheffield United at home before the new year.

Fixtures against Crystal Palace and West Bromwich Albion will then follow on from the FA Cup fifth round tie against AFC Bournemouth.

The Clarets have recently got games against heavyweights Chelsea and Manchester City out of the way, but Dyche acknowledges there are no guarantees at this level.

He said: “Brighton have just beaten Liverpool away and beat Tottenham at home last week, so it is too simplistic (to say the upcoming results will define Burnley’s season).

“But there is also a fair view that there are certain teams that everyone outside the elite clubs think they should be more competitive against and the margins are tighter.

“You can win any game, but there are some probabilities and some possibilities, as I call it.

“We don’t know the exact parameters of these games, but it suggests the next clutch of games are more in the reality of our world.

“We’ll see, but the next one is the most important one, so our focus will be on a good Brighton side who are coming up to the Turf.”

Burnley were without Chris Wood, Ashley Barnes, Josh Brownhill, Charlie Taylor and Robbie Brady when Pep Guardiola's league leaders paid a visit.

And Dyche was coy on whether the quintet would feature at the weekend.

"There are a couple of situations, maybe, but nothing radical," said Dyche.

"I'm not a superstitious fella but whenever I seem to talk about it we start to get more injuries.

"There's not a radical shift in it, there are possibilities, but we'll wait and see.

"I think it's unlikely to be long periods from now, but we've just got to be careful.

"The hardest thing at the moment is trying not to throw them back in at the risk of re-injuring themselves. It's a tough call."