Dyche hoping to strengthen Burnley squad

Clarets boss Sean Dyche is hopeful of adding to the signing of Ashley Barnes in January.
Final preparations: Sean Dyche instructs Ashley Barnes ahead of his debut as a late substitute at Yeovil on SaturdayFinal preparations: Sean Dyche instructs Ashley Barnes ahead of his debut as a late substitute at Yeovil on Saturday
Final preparations: Sean Dyche instructs Ashley Barnes ahead of his debut as a late substitute at Yeovil on Saturday

But he may have to be creative with his targets, with his budget stretched after the acquisition of the 24-year-old Brighton striker, who signed a three and a half year deal on Friday, for an undisclosed sum.

Barnes made his debut as a late substitute for Danny Ings in the 2-1 win at Yeovil Town on Saturday, but, asked if there was any possibility of more new faces, Dyche said: “I’m not sure there’s too much left (in the budget) but we’ll see.

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“We are still active with one or two things that might develop.”

Again, he was forced to field questions about the future of Ings, after the 21-year-old’s 21st goal of a prolific campaign opened the scoring in the win at Huish Park.

Ings continues to be linked with the likes of Liverpool and Celtic, but Dyche brushed it off: “It’s been an ongoing thing ever since I came to the club to be honest.

“It’s a natural occurrence when players are doing well at any club at any level, there’s always someone who’s looking around.

“I’m not worried about that.

“It’s good there are people interested in our players.

“I don’t envisage him leaving.

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“I’ve certainly got no reason to think that will happen - certainly not in January, who knows in the future?

“But every player eventually has their price.

“He’s a Burnley player, he’s enjoying his football, I think he’s still learning.

“That’s the relevant point about what Danny’s doing, playing with a smile, playing with freedom, enjoying it and scoring goals.

“He’s in a great place so were happy with it.”

Meanwhile, Michael Duff and Michael Kightly returned to the squad at Yeovil after missing the FA Cup defeat at Southampton last Saturday, but Ben Mee remains on the sidelines with a niggling thigh problem which has forced him out of four of the last five games. Dyche explained: “He didn’t travel. We’ve got to be careful with that one.

“But Laffers (Danny Lafferty) has done well again.”