DEAN Marney's battle to regain his place in Burnley's starting line-up shows the depth of squad available to Sean Dyche compared to the promotion winning class of two years ago.

The 31-year-old midfielder played 38 of the 46 Championship games in 2013/14, and when he was fit and available he was on the team sheet alongside David Jones in midfield.

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But as the former Hull midfielder edges closer to full fitness after suffering a knee ligament injury in February, his path to an immediate return in this campaign is seemingly blocked by Jones and Joey Barton.

Burnley's successful Championship season two years ago was built on a side was built around a relatively small squad, but after 17 games of that season they were two points better off than the class of 2015/16.

After 17 games of this season Burnley have won nine times, drawn six and lost twice, compared to one more win and one less draw in 2013/14.

That leaves them on 33 points this time around, having accrued 35 two years ago, losing their 17th fixture to Huddersfield on November 30, and they are in fifth in the Championship table now compared to second two seasons ago.

While that promotion winning side avoided serious injury lay-offs until the end of March, when Sam Vokes become the first of five Burnley players in 18 months to suffer cruciate knee ligament injuries, this time looks to have the depth to take whatever is thrown at it.

Two years ago the top three at this stage were the three teams that were promoted to the Premier League, with top two Leicester and Burnley already occupying those positions, while Queens Park Rangers were eventually promoted through the play-offs.

But it looks like being a much closer battle for promotion this time around.

In 2013/14 Burnley were three points off the top spot, and although they are three places worse off they are actually a point closer to the top of the league now.

And two years ago the top five were already separated by 10 points, with just two covering Hull, Brighton, Middlesbrough, Derby and the Clarets now. Indeed after 17 games of this season the top ten are all covered by ten points, so the 2015/16 Championship season is shaping to be a classic.

Burnley's record so far this season would see them finish with 89 points if they were to keep gathering results at this rate, having finished with four more than that two years ago.

Much of that was down to an incredible run that started around about this time, going 15 league games unbeaten at the turn of the year which eventually saw the Clarets finish eight points clear of third, although they were nine behind champions Leicester.

But if Burnley can maintain their form throughout this season then 89 points may be enough to secure a place in the top two, it has been in four of the last five and seven of the last nine Championship seasons.