BURNLEY have deliberately targeted Premier League experience in the transfer market so far as Sean Dyche continues to mould his Clarets squad.

While first summer arrival Charlie Taylor has never played at this level before, Jonathan Walters and Jack Cork bring almost 400 top flight appearances between them to the club.

Dyche likes having players who are new to the challenge of the Premier League in his squad, but he was keen to address an imbalance in bringing in a bit more experience at the highest level, something he has done with the signings of Walters for an initial £2million and Cork for an up-front fee of £8million.

"I use the word sparingly if I can but we like the idea of players growing in our camp, but some have just had a little bit more at other clubs they’ve been at," the Clarets chief said.

"We like that mixture, we want that open mindedness from a player where the Premier League is new or for some of our lads it’s just a second season, but I still think you need that bit of experience in the group.

"I thought we have needed that all along, and this is the third Premier League season at the club under myself.

"We’re really pleased to get Jon in with a real depth of experience, and Corky likewise, but on the other hand we have Charlie coming in as a newcomer who will learn from us and learn from what it is in the Premier League.

"That’s a healthy balance for now and for the future of the club."

Competition for places in the Burnley squad is continuing to rise under Dyche and he believes Cork will add to that.

Joey Barton's departure after being hit with an 18-month ban from all football activity for betting related offences left Jeff Hendrick, Ashley Westwood and Steven Defour as the only senior central midfielders at Turf Moor, and Defour's future at the club this summer remains uncertain.

"We want depth in the squad and we want good competition and I think he definitely brings that with his experience in the Premier League," Dyche said of Cork.

"We felt a player of that type who was available to us was a really good acquisition for the club now and for the future."

As well as spending time with the Clarets Cork enjoyed a loan spell at Watford while he was on the books of Chelsea, playing for them while Dyche was coming through the coaching ranks, so the Turf boss could vouch for the type of player he was bringing into the club.

"I was working with the development squad at Watford when he came down on loan when Brendan Rodgers was the manager," he said.

"I know what a good character he is and everyone at Burnley will know, arguably better than me, from the last time he was at Burnley."

  • The Lancashire Telegraph is following Burnley on tour in association with Accrington Clarets Supporters Club