“THE only thing that will change is if I decide that changes.”

It was perhaps a brave statement by Burnley boss Sean Dyche. It was most certainly bold.

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In response to early summer suggestions that Jason Shackell could leave for Championship rivals Derby County Dyche was defiant.

The message could not have been clearer.

Not only did Burnley not want to sell but, with increased financial security courtesy of a year in the Premier League, they did not have to.

And after losing Danny Ings to Liverpool, with Kieran Trippier well on the way to Spurs at that point, the last person they wanted to consider being next out of the exit door was their captain, least of all to a promotion rival.

“Apart from Ingsy and Tripps, everyone is under contract. We’re in a way different position than we were two and a half years ago, and there’ll be no point teams bidding for our players - it will be us that decides who goes out,” Dyche continued.

“It won’t be a case of clubs bidding and they just go.”

He was referring to the sale of Charlie Austin on the eve of the 2013/14 season.

There was, of course, a happy ending with Burnley going on to win automatic promotion that year.

Shackell was an ever-present in the promotion and Premier League seasons.

Bar his early exit in the New Year’s Day game at Newcastle United he has played every minute under Dyche’s watch.

When Austin went, Burnley had to sell. They had no choice.

Now they do. Despite whatever amount Derby are prepared to throw at the Shackell shake-up - and they have already spent big on other summer recruits - the Clarets’ hands are not tied financially.

“We’re too powerful now in the market,” said Dyche.

That may be so, but in this day and age it is the players who hold the aces, and they are capable of tying clubs in knots.

You only have to look at the fuss kicked up by Raheem Sterling in engineering his Anfield exit to prove that.

At least this particular situation is more dignified; more subtle - even if the ultimate outcome is the same.

When Shackell shockwaves were first sent out Dyche fully expected the defender to report back for pre-season training the following fortnight, and he was indeed there for the early fitness tests and sessions.

Unlike Sterling he has not failed to report and ‘phoned in sick’. But the newly-wed defender has yet to kick a ‘competitive’ ball in Burnley’s pre-season friendlies.

First there was a calf injury which ruled him out of the meeting with Swiss side Etoile Carouge. He has since missed games against Accrington Stanley and Rangers with a back complaint.

He has been prone to the latter before, and while it may be authentic now it is not a straightforward problem to diagnose or even prove.

If it is Shackell’s wish to go, Burnley may not, ultimately, be able to prevent it from happening. But they are right to make the process as difficult as possible.