Former Burnley midfielder backs 'top manager' Sean Dyche to keep the Clarets in the Premier League

The Clarets turn their focus to FA Cup action this evening with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs against Championship side Bournemouth at Turf Moor.

Dyche’s men head into the game one place above the relegation zone in the top-flight, though hold an eight-point advantage over 18th placed Fulham.

Cook, who spent four years as a Burnley player between 1999 and 2003, hailed the job Dyche has done and does not view the club as relegation candidates.

With that in mind, Cook wants to see the Clarets continue their FA Cup run given they are three wins away from a Wembley final, though is mindful of Dyche thinking.

Speaking to Sky Sports’ Football Show, Cook admitted: “I don’t see Burnley as a relegation team. I just think they’re a battle hard team with a top manager.

“He’s been there now since 2012. I’d love to see Burnley have a go in the FA Cup because I think on any given day, Sean can put his team out to possibly give every Premier League team a top, top game but I respect the fact that Sean will want to stay in the division.

"I think when you look at his record at Burnley now and someone would have said Burnley will play in Europe, I think you’d have been laughed out the ground, wouldn’t you?

"Sean Dyche has led them to a European campaign, been relegated, come back up – he’s just a top manager.

"I think the worry for Sean is that he is going to get categorised in that relegation fight type of position when I think he’s just a top, top manager personally.

"I’d love to see Burnley have a go and try and win the competition because I think they could but I respect the fact that I do think Sean will make changes because he’ll see the league as more important for sure.”