SEAN Dyche believes Burnley are in a stronger position financially to keep star players like Danny Ings.

After Jay Rodriguez made a club record move to Southampton two summers ago and Charlie Austin was sold on the eve of last season, Ings is the latest to be tipped for a move away from Turf Moor, despite firing the Clarets to promotion.

His 26-goal season and emergence on the international scene with England Under 21s has made the striker the subject of interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

But Dyche hopes Burnley’s own top flight status, and financial rewards, will give the club a better chance of retaining their sought after players.

“I think the players are happy, I think they’ve enjoyed their season, I think they enjoy what we try to offer them on a daily basis and when they play games. I don’t think there’s a thirst for players to leave.

“If they do then it will be for the right reasons for the club.

“The main thing about Charlie was the board came out and made it clear that had to be done, it was just getting the right market price at that time.

“It’s different now. The finances are a whole different ball game than last season.

“The club are a lot more secure financially, quite obviously, so we have a lot more power with the contracts and the players we’ve got.”
Dyche acknowledged, however, that interest in his players was inevitable because of the success the Clarets had enjoyed.

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“When you’ve got good players, the team does well, you win; when your team does well and you win you get predators. It’s as simple as that.

“It’s not so easy for people to be predators around, say, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea because they are so powerful they can keep players, the finances are so powerful they can reward them with huge contracts.

“We’re not there yet. We can operate in the market and secure players, but there are certain situations that go out of your control.”

But as regards the future of existing players – particularly the likes of Ings and Kieran Trippier, who both have only one year left on their current contract – unlike previous years there is not a necessity to sell to balance the books.

“We’re not in a position where we have to do anything now. We can stand a bit firmer on various different contracts and players, and equally on the ones coming in,” said Dyche, adding that he can now also look to a new market to recruit and strengthen his squad through having a transfer kitty for the first time since taking charge in October 2012.

“We’re in a healthy position to be allowed to align players who were probably out of our thinking a year ago.”

Burnley have been linked with Wolves defender Richard Stearman, but it is understood there has not been any contact between the clubs regarding the 26-year-old.

Stearman is out of contract at the end of next month, although Wolves are keen to agree an extension for their homegrown player after securing a return to the Championship.

However, manager Kenny Jackett is said to face competition for his signature from Middlesbrough and Celtic.

Stearman has made 186 appearances since joining Wolves from Leicester in 2008.