Clarets target Hanley not for sale

Sean Dyches vents his frustrations at assistant Ian Woan - Burnley 2, Bradford City 0 - Turf Moor, August 1st 2015

However, I understand there is interest in the Scotland centre back, which amounted to a casual enquiry, with Rovers insisting they will not do business with the Clarets for the 23-year-old.

Sean Dyche is in the market for a centre back after the return of skipper Jason Shackell to Derby County, but will have to turn his attentions elsewhere to strengthen that department.

Dyche would only say on the subject: “I don’t speak about other people’s players.”

There has not been a player move directly between the clubs on a permanent basis in 31 years, with current AFC Darwen boss Peter Devine crossing the divide to move to Turf Moor.

Stan Ternent did take Andy Todd and Jay McEveley on loan from Rovers in 2003/04, while David a Jones was on loan at Ewood Park in 2012/13 before joining Burnley after his release from Wigan Athletic.

While not quite Mo Johnson signing for Rangers in 1989, it has become almost a taboo, though Dyche added: “I don’t speak about other people’s players, or clubs.

“It’s just rule of thumb.

“I’ll speak about my own players no problem, but I don’t speak about others unless they’re actually in my building.”

Without Shackell, Dyche has the choice of two of three available centre backs, Michael Duff, Michael Keane and Ben Mee, and he is happy with his options while the search continues: “They’re all good players.

“All of those relationships take time but I think less so with the two centre halves because they work very closely together anyway. There’s always that dynamic.

“We know that Ben Mee is historically a centre half, although he’s done very well at left back, so he’s another one that can be added to that.”

He confirmed Northern Ireland left back Danny Lafferty will be out for the first few weeks of the season, however: “Danny has unfortunately broken his collarbone, which will be about six weeks.

“He’s had a really good pre-season so we’re a bit disappointed with that.

“Last year he wasn’t figuring much but this year he got a lot closer with a really good pre-season.”