SEAN Dyche has stressed that Burnley will not rush Sam Vokes back from his long-term knee injury – despite the club’s current league position.

Vokes has been out since March after requiring an operation on damaged cruciate ligaments but is getting closer to a return to action.

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The Clarets have always been cautious about publicly revealing a target return date for the striker but it has long been thought that Vokes is expected to be back on the field around the turn of the year.

The Welshman netted 21 goals last term in a 47-goal partnership with Danny Ings that was a major reason for Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League but they have struggled for goals this term.

Ings only recently returned to action himself after a month out with a hamstring injury.

Dyche, though, will not be tempted to rush Vokes back before he is totally ready.

“It will be a while still yet, we’re going to protect him and make sure he’s right,” said the Burnley boss.

“He’s fine, he’s going really well. He’s absolutely on line to be back when he should be back.

“Vokesy and Ingsy got 40-odd goals last season, so that in itself is a blow for us to take with Ingsy only just getting back in the team.

“Just when you get promoted you lose one at the beginning of the season in Ingsy, and Vokesy is out for a while.”

Dyche believes that, despite having to deal with the setback of a long-term injury, Vokes is in good spirits.

“He’s in good shape mentally, he’s in a good place,” he said.

“But he will not be rushed, I don’t believe in that. Players have to be right and he definitely has to be right, but he’s going along nicely.”

Burnley are yet to win in 10 Premier League games this season but Dyche remains convinced that their spirit and determination will eventually lead to victories, despite a resilient performance ultimately leading to defeat at Arsenal in their last match on Saturday.

“We made it clear that last season, we talked about being relentless,” he said. “It’s still there, it’s just harder because the opposition are better.

“But the nature of the team, we want to keep going hard right the way through a game because you never know.

“I’m a great believer that games change quickly. We couldn’t get back into it on Saturday, but on another day that mentality will get you something.”