SEAN Dyche admits Joey Barton is a 'complex character' but praised his influence around Turf Moor in his two spells with the Clarets.

Barton's Burnley career looks to have ended after he was hit with an 18-month ban by a Football Association commission for a misconduct charge over betting offences.

But Dyche said the 34-year-old had been 'spot on' during his time with Burnley.

The former Manchester City midfielder made a considerable impact on the club despite making just 58 appearances, winning the supporters' player of the year award last season and then returning to Turf Moor in January after his two-year deal at Rangers was cut short following a training ground bust-up.

"I said before that I can only speak as I’ve found," said Dyche. "That’s my personal view of life: Treat people as you find them.

"What I’ve found is someone who is definitely driven to do well for himself and the people around him, who is respectful certainly of the staff and the players here, respectful of Burnley Football Club, absolutely respectful of the community, which is nothing to soften this moment, let me make that clear.

"But there’s more to him in my experience, I equally make that clear, than all these stories of what ifs, and what was this, and what was he doing then, etc, etc, etc.

"So I can only take him as I found him. I said that when he was up in Scotland. I said: Look, that’s nothing to do with me. He’s in his own world up there.

"When he comes back into my world, then it’s to do with me. And my world is Burnley Football Club. So he’s been absolutely spot on.

"Whether that’s in the club, as in on the training pitch, or out of the club, as in doing community work, along with all the players who do so many good things, he has been first class."

Barton's reputation has often preceded him but he has never been in trouble on the pitch during his time with the Clarets and his influence in the dressing room has been praised by teammates.

Asked if Barton had surprised people around the club since they got to know him, Dyche said: "I think he can surprise you in many ways, Joey. He’s a complex character, and he knows it.

"Over the years, he’s worked himself out, never mind anyone else. People have perceptions about him, but facts are facts."

Although Barton plans to appeal the ban he said in a statement released on Wednesday that he was pleased his integrity hadn't been called into question during the hearing.

It was revealed in the FA's written reasons that Barton had placed 42 bets on 20 matches involving teams he was registered with, playing in two of those matches.

Dyche said: "The FA have made it clear that there was no issue. I don’t know every detail. I wasn’t at the case when it was heard. I wasn’t there. But they were happy with everything on that score. So I can only go on the FA’s words.

"They made absolutely clear there was no question of his personal or professional integrity other than an actual bet on a game. That’s what they made clear. So I’m going by their words, not mine."