SEAN Dyche says Danny Drinkwater is ‘more or less there’ when it comes to being ready to return to first-team action for Burnley.

The Chelsea loanee has made just the one appearance for the Clarets, in the Carabao Cup exit against Sunderland back in August.

Having arrived short of match fitness after being out of the picture at Stamford Bridge, his Turf Moor career was further put on hold when he injured his ankle following an incident on a night out in Manchester.

Now though, the 29-year-old, a Premier League winner with Leicester is on the verge of featuring having been involved in Under-23s and behind-closed-doors games for the Clarets.

It could be a timely return to the fold for Drinkwater, whose loan expires in January, with Ashley Westwood suspended for the game against Crystal Palace after picking up a fifth booking of the season in the win at Watford.

“Danny has played in the week, he is more or less there now,” said Dyche after the 3-0 victory at Vicarage Road.

“He is not far away at all apart from match sharpness.”

The Clarets boss has also been without the services of Matej Vydra, hip, and Johann Berg Gudmundsson, hamstring, in recent weeks.

“Vyds is not far away and Johann is on the grass but he is not there yet as it was a serious hamstring injury but he is doing well,” Dyche said.