BURNLEY manager Sean Dyche insists he never felt under pressure to strengthen during the transfer window, because he believes his squad is strong enough to challenge.

Last night’s deadline closed with little in the way of drama at Turf Moor, despite speculation linking top scorer Charlie Austin with a move away.

But Dyche insists the absence of further incomings, following the pre-arranged arrival of Dane Richards in the new year from MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps, was not a source of frustration to him.

While he was pleased that the board were prepared to stick to their guns over their refusal to lose Austin, or any other key first team figures.

“We’re happy with what the squad are doing at the minute,” Dyche said.

“We deem ourselves to be in a good position and we want to keep fighting for the right to earn a chance and be in the shake-up. You don’t want to be selling players when you think you’re on to something.

“There’s obviously a lot of work to be done, but that’s part of the thinking of the club.

“We’ve made it clear from the chairmen, through the board, through myself as manager that no-one’s for sale.

“We’re happy with the squad and the way it’s going about its business. For sure there’s still more to come and we’re pushing for that.”

And Dyche admitted part of that process was to now look towards securing key players on longer contracts, given the number whose current deals expire in the summer.

Chris McCann, Dean Marney, Lee Grant, Ross Wallace and Martin Paterson are among the nine whose contracts are running out.

Wolves are understood to have asked about the availability of McCann and Paterson, for future reference, although both could extend their stay at Turf Moor.

“We’ve been speaking to them themselves, me on the football side of things and the club has been speaking to agents and aligning the reality of the club’s future,” said Dyche.

“There are different situations with different contracts, everyone’s individually looked at, and it’s an ongoing process. The communication lines are completely open.

“Sometimes the agents want to see what the situation is as in what’s out there, sometimes the players want to stay immediately.

“It’s each to their own. It’s an individual process and we’re going through each one as we see fit and they see fit.

“I really don’t think there’s any point in panic. Nowadays players have advisers so there’s a million and one things going in one ear and a million and one things coming out of the other side.

“There are so many different guidelines and other things that can happen, twists and turns.

“It can be a minefield but we believe we do it correctly. We speak to the players honestly and authentically with what’s going on and that’s always a good starting point I think.”