DYCHE: WE WILL BE READY TO PLAY

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Manager Sean Dyche ahead of Thursday night's trip to Old Trafford

2021-12-29T11:30:00.000Z

DYCHE: WE WILL BE READY TO PLAY

Manager Sean Dyche ahead of Thursday night's trip to Old Trafford

2021-12-29T11:30:00.000Z

Manager Sean Dyche ahead of Thursday night's trip to Old Trafford

The Clarets will return to action, after 18 days without a game, when they visit Old Trafford on Thursday evening, after three COVID postponements in the last three Premier League fixtures.

And Dyche knows the challenge his side will face coming up against Ralf Rangnick's Reds, but feels Burnley are progressing from earlier in the campaign and are ready for the test.

Dyche said: “We are where we are, we still think that we have progressed from earlier in the season. The margins are important and the success of getting that right, but we’re going into the game in good shape, we want to press hard and press high, and take games on.

“Ideally, we would have liked to have played games. We’ve done the in-house work the best we can, but we’ve made sure we’ve used the time wisely with our players. We’ve done what we think we can to be in good shape for the next game, whatever comes our way and whatever challenge, we’ll take it on.

“There is a balance of still doing the basics, making sure that you are defending well, and changing games by scoring goals, so we focus on that while trying to add in things that will make a difference.

“We know that it’s tough to go to Old Trafford and take on Manchester United, and we know that we need everything on our side. We will be ready to play.

DYCHE: WE WILL BE READY TO PLAY - Image 1

“It’s a fantastic ground with that history and feel. We’ve done reasonably well there, and we must take up the challenge there to the best of our ability.

“We have been training, we have been active and know the challenges. We’ve tried to keep the focus on the training schedule to prepare mentally to go again as we go forward.

“I tend to deal with the reality of what I do. We are where we are and there are reasons for that. We know the challenges, and we have trust in each other.

“You are always adjusting to the challenge. It doesn’t matter what position you are in the league table, but the core is strong, and we are flexible to keep moving forward.

“We have got the right mentality and that’s the key marker, and we must focus on the fact that we have good players and must do the right things.

DYCHE: WE WILL BE READY TO PLAY - Image 2

“I think that we are ready for the latest challenge that comes around, we keep adding to what we are doing and finding the freedom to express ourselves in games.”

Dyche provided an injury update ahead of the fixture against Ralf Rangnick’s Red Devils.

The boss added: “Dale (Stephens) is back involved, and he could do with games really, Connor (Roberts) has had a really bad infection and he’s had to build up his physical strength and running power. Maxwel (Cornet) is making progress, that one will be touch and go, so we’ll have to decide with him.

“Barnesy (Ashley Barnes) is making progress and beginning to show signs, but he will need a recovery period.”