Burnley boss Sean Dyche still looking to bring new players in during January transfer window

Between Christmas and New Year, Burnley made contact with Everton as regards young right-back Jonjoe Kenny, although there has been nothing further.

Dyche would also like a wide player, ideally right-sided, to complement a group of left-footers in Dwight McNeil, Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Robbie Brady.

Earlier this week Dyche admitted the club had made ‘no headway’ as yet in the market, but several ‘situations’ were active.

And it appears he and new chairman Alan Pace are aligned that the club needs to “stretch, but not break”, as he has suggested has been required for around three years or so,

But, should it prove difficult to get who he wants in during this window, Dyche, at least, is encouraged to see his side virtually back to full fitness after a challenging spell of injuries.

He was only without Charlie Taylor and Bailey Peacock-Farrell for Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester United.

And Taylor could return to contention for Saturday’s clash at West Ham.

Dyche said: “Everyone talks about the window, and I’ve said many times, of course, if we can affect it, the window, we’ll look to do that.

“But when everyone is fully fit...you saw the bench looked way stronger, and I think we’re coming back to that kind of fully fit squad, and that’s going to be important going forward.

“A lot of the performances I was pleased with, Johann (Berg Gudmundsson) is getting back to where he wants to be, he’s looking more natural with his movements and sharpness, so that’s very pleasing.

“Dwight (McNeil) comes on and gets a little bit of football – touch and go whether we started him, and Robbie (Brady) continues to get fitter and stronger.

“I’ve said all season, when we get back to everyone being fit, I still totally believe in the outfit we have.”

Taylor picked up a hamstring problem two weeks ago, and has missed the last two games, but Dyche said: “He should be back in and around it.

“The trouble we have is trying to get players match fit. We can do as much training as we want, and you can get close.

“But getting out there and getting that run of games is what gets you truly fit so people like Chaz, we have to be careful to not put them in too early, Dwight as well, and Johann, because we have had that many injuries that we have to allow people to be more than fit.

“It is a balancing act but I imagine if everything goes well over the next few days, Chaz will certainly be back in contention.”

Burnley are at Anfield to face champions Liverpool next Thursday night, after Saturday’s game at the London Stadium, with an FA Cup tie at Fulham to fit in next weekend.

The midweek games continue at home to Aston Villa and Manchester City, either side of a trip to Chelsea, and Dyche added: “We have a busy period coming up.

“Everyone talks about the Christmas period, but they must have forgotten about this period I think.

“We want players to stay fit, and we have to look at the training loads and rest and find the right balance.

“We want the players to be fit and active and delivering performances like they did on Tuesday night.”