Dyche won't stand in way of stalwart midfielders

Ahead of Sunday’s Old Firm Derby at champions Celtic, Rangers are expected to announce Arfield will join the club on a three-year deal in the summer when his Burnley contract expires.

And Marney, who has been pictured talking with Nottingham Forest boss Aitor Karanka, will also run out his deal to explore his options on the summer.

Dyche was eager to treat both with the respect they deserve, after helping the club twice win promotion to the Premier League, and play a big part in keeping them there, to the point where Burnley are on the brink of Europa League football.

Dyche, asked whether both will be moving on, said: “There’s a good chance, particularly Scott.

“Rangers have been very open about coming to us, and he has been an amazing servant for us, and it’s his boyhood club, so everyone has been clear on that one.

“And Deano is waiting to see what’s out there for him.

“We’ve kept both of them in the loop, both have been fantastic servants, and that’s why we’ve been open with them and were happy to help with anything they wanted to do in the future.

“Deano was here before me, already doing a great job, and has done a great job for us while I’ve been here, and I brought Scotty in, and both have played a big part in the success we’ve had.”

Marney, who was signed by Brian Laws back in the summer of 2010, hasn’t played for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury in January 2017, but has been back on the bench of late.

While Arfield, brought in by Dyche in the summer of 2013, has been out with a calf problem for a spell, and has 20 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring twice.

Meanwhile, Ben Mee remains a doubt for tomorrow’s penultimate home game against Brighton, while on-loan winger Georges-Kevin Nkoudou has a chance of being fit.

Dyche explained: “We’re pretty much okay, but we’re waiting on Ben Mee.

“It’s settling down now, but maybe the weekend might be a bit quick.

“But he’s making progress.

“And G-K was good early in the week, he’s been on the grass.”

Four points from the last three games will be enough for Europa League qualification, regardless of what Leicester City or Everton do in their remaining fixtures, and Dyche said: “We want to finish strong regardless.

“We were very strong physically again at Stoke, with the way we finished the game, and were unlucky not to take the three points. But our mentality and physical strength is important.”