SEAN Dyche said the decision to keep Nick Pope in goal despite Tom Heaton return's wasn't 'rocket science'.

The 25-year-old kept the gloves for Burnley's win at Watford on Saturday despite Heaton returning to a matchday squad for the first time since dislocating his shoulder against Crystal Palace on September 10.

While Dyche admitted he had loyalty to club captain Heaton, who has racked up 178 games since joining on a free transfer from Bristol City, Pope has barely put a foot wrong since coming into the side.

That form earned the former Charlton Athletic man a call-up to the England squad last month and Dyche was also quick to praise Anders Lindegaard, who made way for Heaton, and Adam Legzdins for the competition they have provided in the goalkeeping ranks.

“It was a tough decision again, Anders has been fantastic, Legs has been pushing all the way, but Tom, over a longer period, a top goalie, and a top servant, so that has to be recognised," Dyche said of the decision to bring Heaton back into the squad.

“I am pretty loyal at times, equally, it’s not rocket science. Popey has performed well again, and Tom will be respectful of that, because he knows that’s the way it works."

Pope repaid Dyche's decision with another fine showing at Vicarage Road.

Dyche added: "He made two big saves first half, and nice hands at the end when they were raining it in from everywhere, he continues to mature and grow - but not physically, because he’s an absolute unit!"

Meanwhile Ben Mee could miss Burnley's crunch clash with Leicester City next weekend after his shin injury proved to be worse than first feared.

The 28-year-old missed the 2-1 win at Watford with an injury picked up in training, but he will now be monitored over the next week ahead of the Turf Moor clash with the Foxes.

But there could be better news on Iceland winger Johann Berg Gudmundsson, who may well be fit to return next week after missed the last two fixtures with a calf strain.

“Ben (was) not as close as we were hoping," Dyche said of Mee's fitness after the Watford win.

"He had a knock on his shin, but it’s flared up a little bit more than we hoped so we’ll have to wait and see over the next week or so. I must say, Longy (Kevin Long) was excellent again.

"Johann hopefully if he gets a good week’s training, he should be in and around it."