STEPHEN Ward has urged manager Sean Dyche to at least see out the season at Turf Moor.

The Burnley boss today celebrates his fifth anniversary but the 46-year-old continues to be linked with the vacant managerial position at Everton, although the Toffees owners and board are prepared to take their time over appointing Ronald Koeman’s successor.

Dyche, who last week revealed he had not received any contact from any club, had also been linked to Leicester City before Claude Puel’s appointment last week.

Two promotions and a Premier League survival have made him a target for rivals, and with his stock so high Ward knows it will be hard for the Clarets to hang onto him.

But he hopes that if Dyche does go anywhere, it will not be until at least the summer.

“It’d be a blow (to lose him), of course,” said the left back, ahead of tonight’s home game with Newcastle United.

“It’s no surprise he’s being linked here, there and everywhere given the job he’s done here.

“Everyone is curious. You see he’s favourite for this job, favourite for that job. It happens in football but we can’t worry about it too much.

“You’ve got players in the squad linked to moves all the time and you think you might lose a certain member of the squad. That’s football.

“Since I’ve been here the gaffer’s been linked with a job every couple of months. It’s nothing new.

“He’s obviously got ambition but we’re happy he’s here. Hopefully he will stay here for this season anyway.

“It’s down to the club and the manager himself. He seems to really enjoy his job here.

“If he stays it’ll be great for us.”

As well as adding to his trophy cabinet, Ward has reaped the physical benefits of working under Dyche.

“Training is up there with the toughest I’ve had,” said the 32-year-old former Wolves defender.

“I really enjoy it and I’m probably as fit as I’ve felt in my career.

“You never hear anyone moaning about it because you know if you want to play in a Sean Dyche team you have to work hard.

“(The first session) was very hard. It took me about two or three weeks to get used to it. We pride ourselves on it and the way we work gives us the best chance of getting a result.”