Burnley boss Sean Dyche hoping to have strength in numbers for the game against Everton at Goodison Park!

Sean Dyche is hoping to have strength in numbers going into the final Premier League fixture before the international break.
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The Burnley boss could name one of his strongest matchday squads for some time when the Clarets take on Everton at Goodison Park at the weekend.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson, sidelined since the 1-1 draw against Fulham, made his return to the starting line-up in the stalemate against Arsenal at Turf Moor.

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Republic of Ireland international Robbie Brady featured for just over 20 minutes from the bench against the Gunners while Erik Pieters returned with an all-action display as a second half substitute.

Sean Dyche, Manager of Burnley reacts during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on March 06, 2021 in Burnley, England.Sean Dyche, Manager of Burnley reacts during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on March 06, 2021 in Burnley, England.
Sean Dyche, Manager of Burnley reacts during the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on March 06, 2021 in Burnley, England.

"JBG did well, we just had to be careful," said Dyche. "We had to get him off quick and these are the challenges that come your way not from a physical point of view but because he is not truly Premier League fit and sharp.

"We are having to try and make decisions when we probably wouldn't. Johann was effective but we have to protect them as well as getting something out of them and it is tough."

Dyche could also welcome back Jack Cork for the game against the Toffees after the midfielder sat out Burnley's fifth successive home draw.

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And he's optimistic that Charlie Taylor didn't take on too much damage when playing on with a tight hamstring against Mikel Arteta's men.

Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City crosses past Jack Cork of Burnley during the Premier League match between Burnley and Leicester City at Turf Moor on March 03, 2021 in Burnley, England.Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City crosses past Jack Cork of Burnley during the Premier League match between Burnley and Leicester City at Turf Moor on March 03, 2021 in Burnley, England.
Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City crosses past Jack Cork of Burnley during the Premier League match between Burnley and Leicester City at Turf Moor on March 03, 2021 in Burnley, England.

He said: "He (Corky) might have a chance for the weekend. Chaz, we will wait on more news. I think he has gone off quicker rather than slower as regards the injury so we will hope that settles down.

"He tried to play on, I don't know why he tried to play on because he said it was tightening and getting worse, so that's a strange one.

"I would have much prefered for him to tell me that he needed to come off. We'll wait and see with that one."

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Dyche added: "We have had three in a week so we are putting these players through a lot and we are being forced into it by the fixture schedule but that calms down now.

Burnley's English defender Charlie Taylor lies injured on the field during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on March 6, 2021.Burnley's English defender Charlie Taylor lies injured on the field during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on March 6, 2021.
Burnley's English defender Charlie Taylor lies injured on the field during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England on March 6, 2021.

"We've got Everton and then, in the marvel of the Premier League's fixture planning, we have three weeks off instead of two, which is a bit of a head-scratcher for us.

"We've had all these games crammed in when we could have had at least one game, if not two, put into that period. But, c'est la vie."

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