SEAN Dyche thinks Johann Berg Gudmundsson needs a full week of training under his belt to prove he's ready for a return to action.

The Burnley winger picked up a calf problem in the draw at Wolves at the end of August and hasn't featured for the Clarets since.

The 28-year-old had scored the third goal in the opening day win over Southampton and started the 2-1 defeat at Arsenal.

But Gudmundsson was then withdrawn after 66 minutes at Molineux and has been fighting to make his return since, sitting out the last three Premier League games.

The Iceland international is closing in on a return however and Dyche is hopeful he can prove his match fitness with a trip to Aston Villa next on the agenda this Saturday.

“It's yes and no with Johann," the Clarets boss said when asked if the winger was ready to return.

"Yes, physically he’s fit, but no in the sense he’s had three or four weeks with hardly any training time.

"So I’ve spoken to him and assured him we believe in what he’s doing, he’s really fit and his eye is in, but he needs a good week’s training, to get back to training every day and making sure his body is right."

Competition has been fierce in Gudmundsson's absence, Jeff Hendrick's goal against Brighton seeing him replace Aaron Lennon on the right wing for the win over Norwich last time out on Saturday.

After his breakthrough campaign, Dwight McNeil has been a mainstay on the left-hand side with Robbie Brady only just back from a rib injury picked up in pre-season.