DYCHE: FANS CAN PLAY THEIR PART

Sean Dyche is relishing the return of the fans as he aims to help bring the feelgood factor back to Turf Moor.

The Clarets kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Brighton on Saturday with no limit on the size of the crowd for the first time since March, 2020.

And after more than a season of behind-closed-door football due to the pandemic, Dyche believes the fans will have a big role to play this season.

“We certainly want the energy the crowd has brought us in the past,” said the Burnley boss.

“We want that to return quickly and we want the positive energy because they’ve backed us and have always stayed calm for us as well.

“Over my years here they’ve been a fantastic support base and we have missed it.

“We definitely want to welcome them back in to play their part in hopefully many successes going on this season.”

The Clarets haven’t found home wins easy to come by without supporters inside Turf Moor.

Dyche’s men managed just four home wins last season on their way to securing a sixth successive season of top-flight football.

That was a pattern repeated across the Premier League – with 11 side winning more times away from home than they did on their own patch.

And while Dyche hopes the return of fans will redress the balance for the Clarets, he knows his players must still deliver the goods if they are to get off the mark at the first time of asking against the Seagulls.

He added: “We all spoke last season about the differential between away form etc. That will be interesting in the bigger picture.

“In our picture we want to make sure our home form goes back to where it has been because it’s been strong over many seasons.

“I think there’s something in that (home fans helping). But you’ve got to earn the right. You can’t just wait for it to happen.

“Just because our fans are in we can’t just wait and hope that we win because they’re in.

“We’ve got to make that happen. But it’s fair to say with the backing of the fans I think gives us an added edge.”

The Clarets will be close to full strength for the curtain-raiser – a welcome contrast to last season’s injury-hit start to the season.

Only defender Kevin Long and ex-Brighton midfielder Dale Stephens are out as they continue to recuperate following surgery.

Matt Lowton returned to action in a mid-week training-ground game after missing last Saturday’s friendly defeat to Cadiz, which featured the return of both goalkeeper Nick Pope and ex-Seagulls’ striker Chris Wood.

Winger Aaron Lennon came off the bench against the La Liga side and continues to work with the Clarets as they continue to search for reinforcements before the transfer window closes.

“He’s training with us and he is active with us,” said Dyche.

“I’ve had just a very loose chat with him about what might be and ifs-and-ands but the main thing for him is being fit and well, which he is, and he is still hungry for it.”