Dyche faces wait on Marney

Marney missed the 2-2 draw at Millwall on Saturday with a thigh problem, sustained in the Capital One Cup defeat against West Ham last Tuesday.

However, Dyche - expected to be named Championship manager of the month for the second-successive time today - will give the unsung hero as much time as possible to prove his fitness: “We’re just waiting on Deano. We have to be careful, but fingers crossed he’ll come through training and come back into consideration.”

The rest of the squad are fit, while Keith Treacy is available after serving a one-match suspension for his sending off against the Hammers.

The squad, despite a lack of numbers, has coped admirably with the loss of players through injury and suspension so far this season, and Dyche said: “Deano has done very well, but, to be honest, with the way the squad is, every player has come in and delivered performances.

“The goalscorers take a lot of the accolades, but a number of players have done very well so far this season and kept performance levels very high.”

Marney signed a new two-year deal in the summer, on reduced terms, but is arguably in his best form in his fourth season at the club, and Dyche admitted: “Deano realised the reality of the marketplace, and he wanted to stay.

“He is enjoying his football, and he was the first to set a marker in pre-season when he came back in fantastic shape, which was no surprise.”

As regards fresh contract situations, with the likes of Kieran Trippier and Danny Ings moving into their final year in the summer, as well as a number of players out of contract, Dyche is keeping an eye on things: “We are monitoring situations, although it’s a bit early yet.

“Last year it went into the New Year, and it will probably be similar this year, but I’m talking with the board and we’ll look at everything wisely and decide what we can do, if we add to the squad or maintain it from within with the players , who are part of it, settled and delivering.”

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