BURNLEY boss Sean Dyche has told his players there is no limit to what they can achieve this season.

The Clarets equalled the best start to a season in the club’s history through Saturday’s 2-0 win over QPR, which maintained their lead at the top of the Championship.

Premier League side West Ham United stand in the way of them taking a step nearer surpassing that achievement tonight, in a Capital One Cup fourth round tie.

But Dyche sees no reason why Burnley’s winning run, currently at eight games, should be halted.

“I was in a cup run many years ago with Chesterfield. It can be done, you can win big games. The challenge is an obvious one with a Premier League club – any Premier League club.

“It is a challenge, but it’s an exciting one for all of us and we look forward to it,” said the Clarets boss, who seems set to land a second consecutive manager of the month prize.

“I try to stay open minded about what can be achieved. I had some good achievements as a player and some of my staff did, and I think these players can achieve whatever they wish to.

“It’s only an open-minded attitude, it doesn’t guarantee you what you want to achieve happens happens, but it gives you a better chance with that clarity of thinking.

“The biggest thing is having no fear, just going out and playing open-minded.

“They know they’re organised, they know the structure, they certainly know they’re fit enough. That allows them that mental clarity to go and put a performance in.”

Dyche added: “I don’t really try to limit the players to what they can achieve. People talk about markers and whether Saturday was another marker but every team in this division has to be treated wisely and carefully.

“I believe in the players and I believe in what we do.”

Consistency of selection has been a key strength for the Clarets this season, but Burnley will have their central midfield partnership of Dean Marney and David Jones broken up tonight.

Jones has a one-match ban after picking up his fifth booking of the season, while Marney was a casualty of Saturday’s win with a thigh strain.

Scott Arfield was sidelined with a groin strain and is not expected to be fit to face Sam Allardyce’s Hammers.

Keith Treacy is likely to retain his place on the wing after coming in for Arfield at the weekend, while David Edgar and Brian Stock could start in central midfield.

“They (Arfield and Marney) will be touch and go I think,” said Dyche.

“That is the down side of having a quick turnover. The international breaks have served us well so far and the November one looks like it will become important because we have got a small squad as everyone knows so it’s important we get the rest as well as the work.

“If they’re fit I’ll look to use the players that we think are strong enough to win, if they’re not fit then we believe in the group. They’ve delivered so far when there have been changes and we’ll look for that to happen again, albeit a tougher challenge against a Premier League side.

“There’s a real good group feel and that goes through the staff and onto the players and onto the pitch.”