SEAN Dyche believes Ashley Barnes' all-round game has improved this season as the striker continues to write his name into the Turf Moor record books.

Barnes flying volley against West Brom on Saturday means he's the first Burnley player to score in four successive top flight games in the same season since 1968 and he continues to lead the way for the Clarets in the Premier League, with 18 goals in the competition.

While Dyche has noticed improvements in the 28-year-old's game this season he puts his fine form down to the enjoyment Barnes has now found in his football.

"He’s in a good vein of form and improving all the time. That’s all he’s concentrating on," the Clarets chief said.

"He enjoys the group and what he’s doing here, his family are settled in the north west, he’s signed a new contract and life’s good for him.

"It’s good he’s enjoying his football, and you can see that, with how he’s playing.

"Obviously strikers love scoring a goal, but his all round game has improved this season. And in my time here he has made strides forward, not just measured on goals, but his all round performances."

Barnes was Dyche's first cash signing at Turf Moor, joining from Brighton for £450,000 midway through the promotion season of 2013/14.

That fee looks more of a bargain by the week and Dyche believes the striker is a perfect example of a player who has adapted to the challenge and improved at Turf Moor.

“He continues to adapt to the challenge. His game has improved season on season with us, and I think players piece it all together," Dyche said.

"With football, everyone wants it yesterday, it’s just the way we are now. A team built yesterday, players to come in and miraculously all work at the same time, and it’s not that easy.

"Barnesy is a good sign of someone year on year who sticks in, keeps developing, learning and improving.

"He’s another one of a number of players who keep doing that with us. And obviously a big measurement this week was with Tarky and Popey.

"We’ve had a few do that and that’s pleasing for myself and my staff."

While Barnes has scored in four successive games Chris Wood is hot on his heels having netted in three straight games and the pair were unleashed from the start at the Hawthorns on Saturday, having flourished when Wood has come on from the bench in recent weeks.

Jeff Hendrick was the man who made way, but Dyche defended the Republic of Ireland's recent displays, while he also revealed Johann Berg Gudmundsson missed out due to a calf injury picked up in training.

"Jeff’s done superbly well in that number 10 (role), top of the midfield, it’s not natural to him but he’s done that very well, but we wanted to see the two together," Dyche said.

"We want to keep winning games, but it’s important we find out what combinations can work, because we talk about season on season progression, we want to adapt to the challenge, but my job is to see beyond that, as well as the next game.

"GK (Nkoudou) got a game, he wouldn’t have but Johann pulled his calf the last two minutes of training on a Friday. We don’t think it’s a serious one but again, GK showed some glimpses of what he’s about, and it’s important for the constant building of the club and the team."