Dyche pleased despite defeat

In blistering heat, Dyche used 22 players, ending the game with five development players, while also taking a look at 24-year-old former Falkirk and Huddersfield Town midfielder Scott Arfield.

And he said: “The lads had a good workout, which was important.

“A lot of the development lads, who are important to us, were there - we’ve come together as a group for the first 10,11 days to see where they are, and we saw they have some work to do to get up to real first team level.

“But it’s really important we come through these games unscathed, we’ve had a little training game and other than that it’s been more fitness-related. We wanted to get as many bodies out there as we could, and it’s important they get the game time, and the young lads know what the journey is and get a feel for it.”

Burnley lost to a 79th-minute Kevin Ellison goal, and Dyche added: “Of course we want to win, but it’s not the be-all and end-all, that’s when the whistle blows for real.

“We have to take the things out of it that we want.

“My ethos is winning, but there has to be a balance, and it was about getting the lads game time and giving the young lads a taste.

“For that reason it was a very good run out, and Morecambe let us use the GPS as well, so we got some data from it.”

Joseph Mills was taken off just before half-time after a heavy challenge, while Kieran Trippier, Marvin Bartley, Luke O’Neill and Charlie Austin were not involved, and Dyche explained: “I think it’s more of a kick than a twist with Joe.

“There’s nothing major with the others, it’s a protection thing, Marvin, Luke O’Neill, Tripps, Charlie, it’s early and we have to be really careful.

“There’s a lot of work to be done in Ireland, the lads know that, physically building into the game, and when we come back, that’s hopefully when the team starts forming - it’s more reality-bound then.”

The Clarets left for a training camp in Cork yesterday morning, with Arfield part of the travelling squad.

David Edgar is away on international duty with Canada at the Concacaf Gold Cup.

• The Burnley Express has launched a FREE football app which is now available to download on iPhone and Android devices.