TWO weeks after Joe Hart's celebrated return to Manchester City the Clarets goalkeeper is set for a very different reception at the London Stadium this weekend.

Hart is back at West Ham having spent last season on loan with the Irons. The 75-cap England goalkeeper was in and out of the Hammers side last term as his form dipped and the loss of his place in the side in the final weeks of the season contributed to him losing his place in the England squad.

But the 31-year-old has rediscovered his best form at Turf Moor following a £4million move from Manchester City in the summer. After spending two years on loan away from the Etihad Stadium - the first at Torino - Hart was keen to make a permanent departure this summer, and when the Clarets expressed an interest he told Sean Dyche that it had be a long-term deal.

"That's why we did it. Because he was very open, very honest," said Dyche.

"It was one of the most refreshingly simple, clean conversations - him, and his agent, a pleasure to deal with. And that was the only thing where he said 'look, I really need that – I need a base, somewhere I can go in and be part of, work hard for', and he was very clear, not bothered about glossy badges or anything, just a really good environment, somewhere to work.

"He wanted to be part of something. Certainly not money – it was more about being actually part of a group, and he has done that. So, a very, very simple and clean conversation, hopefully I'm standing to my side of it and he's definitely standing to his side of it."

Hart will return to West Ham this weekend with his form for Burnley sparking calls of a possible Three Lions recall. Even in the 5-0 defeat at City and the 4-0 reverse against Chelsea last weekend he made a number of excellent saves and that form has silenced critics who suggested his best days were long gone.

So has Dyche been surprised by Hart's performances? "Not really. There's no guarantees, but when we brought him in here, he's not the first this environment has allowed to shine a little bit.

"There's players that we brought in who other people didn't want and they've flourished here as individuals and often the team as well. So I'm not surprised that it's a good place for him to come in and get on with what he wants to do."

Hart made a mistake in this fixture last season, spilling Johann Berg Gudmundsson's shot to allow Chris Wood to score.

But his performances have improved rapidly this season, under the guidance of Dyche and goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer.

"He looks in a good place, I think he's enjoying the challenge here because he knows it's a challenge," the Clarets chief said.

"I think he knows there's a group who will work in front of him, a group who will give everything.

"There is an honesty to the people who are working in front of him. I think as a keeper, as long as there's organisation, honesty and desire from the people in front of you, it gives you a chance to make the saves that you need to save, and I think he's enjoyed that aspect.

"I'm not saying he didn't have that anywhere else, I'm just saying here, I think he has got that and I think he's shown from his performances he is willing to work with that, and long may it continue."