NEW sporting director Frank McParland expects Burnley to start the season with Sean Dyche still in charge – but says Danny Ings is unlikely to be the only key departure from the playing squad.

McParland started work with the Clarets on Monday, tasked with overseeing player recruitment at the club, and confirmed that Dyche would have money to spend in the transfer market this summer.

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It was Dyche who made the first phone call to bring his former Watford colleague to Turf Moor but the Burnley boss has been linked with a move away from the club, with Sunderland understood to be considering an approach.

Dyche is believed to be on the Black Cats’ shortlist for their managerial vacancy, just as he was before Gus Poyet was appointed early in the 2013/14 season.

But the Premier League side are said to ideally prefer a more experienced boss of the ilk of the recently departed Dick Advocaat, and are understood to still be assessing their options before making any move.

Dyche has always stressed that he is happy at Burnley, and Sunderland is even further away from his family home in Kettering.

McParland is confident that Dyche will remain with the Clarets.

“He’s made a real name for himself so I’m not surprised about the links, but I know he’s very happy here,” McParland said.

“He was a big part in me coming here and I’m really hopeful that we’ll both start off the season here.

“It was Sean who made the initial call to me, and I went to have a coffee with him and Ian Woan.

“There was no offer of a job at that stage, then I met with the owner and the chief executive at the time Lee (Hoos) and gave them my ideas, the things I’d spoken to Sean about. They asked me to join, which I was delighted with.

“Sean has done loads for this club and he wants to do a lot more. Burnley is such a historic club and he’s really keen to push it on.”

McParland knows recruitment could be the key to success next season, with top scorer Danny Ings departing this summer at the end of his Turf Moor contract.

The sporting director also expects the exit of another star player, with Burnley powerless to stop Kieran Trippier from leaving if one of a host of interested clubs meet his £3.5m release clause.

Aston Villa were the latest club to be linked yesterday, while Tottenham, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Southampton and Stoke City are also said to be interested in the right back.

Asked if Burnley had received any offers for Trippier so far, McParland said: “It’s been my second day here and I haven’t seen anything yet, so I’m not sure about that one to be honest.”

On the subject of recruitment, he said: “We’ve just come out of the Premier League and our aim is to get back into the Premier League as soon as possible.

“For sure there will be players coming in during the summer. There’s certainly money there to spend.

“Obviously we’re going to lose a couple of top players, definitely we’re going to lose one by the looks of it and I’m not involved with everything at the minute but there may be a chance of another one going out maybe.

“We have to recruit well and I’ll be working very hard with the boss and everyone at the club to try to get some decent ones in.

“It’s not impossible to replace Danny Ings but it’s very difficult.”