SEAN Dyche insists Burnley never had any plans to sell striker Ashley Barnes during the summer transfer window.

The arrival of strikers Chris Wood and Nakhi Wells for a combined £20million had led to speculation over Barnes' future, with reports suggesting other Premier League clubs, including Newcastle, were interested.

But the Clarets didn't receive any offers for the 27-year-old and Dyche said none would have been entertained.

Although Michael Keane and Andre Gray left Turf Moor this summer, both were entering the final year of their contract, and Dyche said the club are under no pressure to sell other players.

"We made it clear back in the summer, we’re not under pressure to sell anyone," the Turf boss said.

"Obviously contractually that's different - it was a different ball game with Keano and Andre, we all know that.

“But if they're under contract, we’re under no pressure, it would be our planning, not someone else’s."

Barnes scored six Premier League goal last season for the Clarets as he started 20 games in the league, with a further eight appearances off the bench.

So far this campaign he has had to make do with three cameo appearances as a substitute, but Dyche wants to keep him around and believes it is essential some of his old guard help the new arrivals to settle as the boss continues to reshape his squad.

“I think a lot of Barnesy, everyone knows that," Dyche said.

"I think, in the ideal world, you have a group who know exactly how you work, the culture, and rub off on each other, and new players come in and are quickly informed how it is by the older players.

"We've got a healthy balance of that.

"The additions mound into what we want quickly, it saves you having to inform them all the time."

Barnes has been at Turf Moor since his arriving from Brighton for what now looks like a bargain at £450,000 in January 2014.

"That was three and a half years ago, £450,000," Dyche said. "Look how much the market has moved on, he'd be worth a lot more than £450,000."