BURNLEY manager Sean Dyche remains hopeful of getting through the transfer window unscathed.

The Clarets boss was only expecting to make signings in the event of losing any of his current crop.

But with Dyche  preferring to keep his squad together ahead of delving into the market, the Burnley chief’s wish could be granted by tonight’s 11pm deadline.

Marvin Bartley was believed to be a target for Bristol City as of yesterday morning, but by the afternoon plans to pitch for a loan move until the end of the season had been shelved.

The 26-year-old is contracted to the Clarets until the summer of 2014, but having started only three league games this season – and only one since Dyche took charge in late October – Bartley is thought to be open to a new challenge.

The former Bournemouth midfield man was on the verge of joining Leyton Orient on loan earlier this month, but injury to Chris McCann and Brian Stock’s suspension following his controversial red card at Barnsley prompted Burnley to put the brakes on the move.

The Clarets would have put the shutters down on any midfield movement had Dean Marney’s three-match ban not been rescinded.

But even after successfully appealing the red card he picked up against Birmingham City on Saturday, Dyche remains reluctant to shed any recognised senior players.

That includes Bartley, but his situation may change once the loan window opens after a week’s grace if he continues to struggle for game time with the Clarets.

Dyche was, however, looking for options to send a number of the club’s development squad players, including Steve Hewitt, out on loan in an effort to get them first team experience.

Enquiries are also understood to have been made about a loan move for Alex MacDonald.

The forward was expected to make his move to Plymouth Argyle permanent following successful loan spells at Home Park both last season and this, but that proposal was scrapped after Carl Fletcher was sacked by the Pilgrims after their New Year’s Day defeat at Bristol Rovers.