SEAN Dyche has revealed he is in talks with long-serving defender Michael Duff about a future coaching role with the club.

The 38-year-old, who arrived for just £30,000 from Cheltenham in the summer of 2004, is in the last year of his current contract and had his longevity marked with a testimonial last summer.

Although the Northern Ireland international started the season alongside Michael Keane, Duff lost his place to Ben Mee in late December and has since fallen further down the pecking order with the arrival of James Tarkowski on the January transfer deadline day.

It is unlikely that he will be offered a new playing contract at the club for next season, particularly if the Clarets secure a return to the Premier League.

Having seen former teammate Graham Alexander continue playing into his forties, Duff may look to prolong his career elsewhere.

But Dyche said he would be keen to continue working with the centre half in a coaching capacity at Burnley.

“It’s something that I’ve been discussing with the board and Michael’s aware of that,” the Clarets boss told a fans’ forum.

“He has been a fantastic servant. When I got here people, ex-managers, were saying 'I’m not sure he’s got much left in him', but he’s certainly done all right to say the least since I’ve been here.

“I think he is one of the dying breed of footballers who has become part of the fabric of the football club from his service here, from his own story being brought here for peanuts and what he’s done for the club, and all the history that comes with it.

“He’s got a thirst to go into that side of things, so we are looking at that. He’s still got football left in him, he’s still keeping himself proper and right at the moment because he knows at any time it could change.”