SEAN Dyche's attempts to strengthen his Burnley squad this summer will be given a 'great start' by the Clarets' returning from long-term injuries.

Steven Defour and Robbie Brady were two of Burnley's key men in the first half of the campaign but Defour has been absent since January 20 and Brady hasn't kicked a ball since suffering a knee injury at Leicester City on December 2.

Dyche has suffered the worst injury crisis of his Turf Moor career this season, particularly in the early stages of 2018, but has still managed to steer the Clarets to seventh place and European qualification.

Ashley Barnes was added to the casualty list in the penultimate game of the season, suffering a shoulder injury at Arsenal, but it's the return of Belgium international Defour and Republic of Ireland ace Brady that will provide a particular lift heading into pre-season.

With Dyche having to juggle a European tilt with the Premier League next season, new faces may be required at Turf Moor, but he is also looking forward to the return of his injured stars.

“We’ve been stretched this season, plus we’ve still got players missing. So they come back and you immediately have two, three players back before you worry about recruitment," he said.

“That’s a great start. Then, can we look to add? It it’s got to be something that works for the club.

“Robbie and Steven are on their way, they’re working with the physios, both in light training, making really good progress, and Barnesy, it’s straightforward in it’s settling down period,

“They’ve become three important players and we look forward to them returning in good shape in pre-season."

The Clarets certainly made light of two of their most important and creative players, finishing seventh despite Brady featuring in just 15 Premier League games and Defour in just 24.

They were both missing during Burnley's run of 12 games without success, when injuries started to bite in Dyche's squad.

But the Clarets bounced back to reassert themselves in seventh with five successive wins and now Dyche has his eye on next season and integrating the likes of Defour and Brady back into his squad.

"There’s a lot to be thought through and made sense of, but a lot of stuff right in front of your eyes," he said.

"It’s been there for people to see, I spoke about the side moving forward even when we had a tough run of results, and some people forget the injuries we’ve had this season.

"And we’re still missing really top players. So that’s going to be interesting integrating them back into the squad.

"I think there are still positives to come behind this season, and I’m already looking at next season, as managers do, as of about a month ago.

"That’s just the relentless nature of it."