Dyche relishing unbeaten run despite ongoing Defour absence

Sean Dyche hopes Burnley can show why they are on their best ever Premier League unbeaten run when Tottenham visit Turf Moor on Saturday.

The Clarets have not lost in the league since a 5-1 hammering by Everton on Boxing Day that is beginning to look like a clear turning point in their season.

They remain only three points above the relegation zone but their seven unbeaten matches include a draw with Manchester United and, in their last game two weeks ago, a 3-1 victory on the south coast over Brighton.

“Over that run we’ve confirmed we’re in a better place,” said boss Dyche. “You don’t run away with yourself because it can change quickly but it’s fair to say we’ve changed on the positive side and the players deserve a lot of credit because it’s not easy.

“We’ve been heavily questioned this season, myself and the team, and to come out of that with a good run of performances and results is very pleasing. We’ve got to continue in that vein.”

With no game in the FA Cup last weekend, Dyche took the opportunity to take his entire squad and backroom staff on a four-day trip to the Quinta do Lago resort in Portugal.

There was time for some relaxation but the focus was very much on Saturday’s match, which could see the return of Harry Kane after seven weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury.

Spurs head to Turf Moor on the back of four successive wins and looking to close a five-point gap to leaders Manchester City and Liverpool.

They will know to expect a tough afternoon, though, having needed a stoppage-time goal from Christian Eriksen to win the reverse fixture at Wembley in December when Burnley were still in the mire.

Dyche said: “We went down there quite obviously to defend and counter. They’ve nicked something in the end and got the win. But I did say around that time that the belief in what we were doing was coming back and I’m very pleased to say that mentality continued.

“You add in that energy, drive and relentless nature and all of a sudden we look somewhere back to where we were. The main challenge is continuing to find that consistency no matter who you’re playing and we’ve done well with that.

“We went to Old Trafford and delivered a very strong performance against a top side. We’re going to have to do that again because Tottenham are a top side. Personally I think they should, and are, being considered now as possible title contenders.

“That feeling that we’ll take on anything and anyone, I think it just grows. When you’re doing well yourself it only enhances that inner spirit, the underdog mentality. It does give you that extra little edge.”

Burnley should have Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Robbie Brady back after injury but midfielder Steven Defour remains on the sidelines and will see a specialist to try to solve his persistent calf problems.

The Belgian midfielder returned to the side in September having been out for nine months with a knee injury but has managed only eight appearances since.

Dyche said: “We’ll get a further look with scans and a specialist just to confirm what’s going on because we can’t quite get him there.

“It’s been really tough for him and tough for us, we want all our players to be fit. But he’s a resilient fellow, he’s been through some injury periods before. We hope he gets well soon.”