SEAN Dyche says it is still a case of “wait and see” when it comes to whether Danny Drinkwater will remain a Burnley player.

The midfielder’s loan from Chelsea ends on January 6 with the 29-year-old having made just two appearances for the Clarets since a deadline day move from Stamford Bridge.

Drinkwater arrived short of match fitness and then picked up an ankle injury after an incident on a night out with his only Premier League outing coming in the 4-1 defeat against Manchester City earlier this month.

Dyche has always backed the three-cap England international, a Premier League title winner with Leicester, to make an impact and is refusing to rule out extending his stay in East Lancashire and wants to see if he can make his mark over a busy Christmas and new year period.

“It is circumstantial at the moment,” the Clarets boss said at his press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth.

“He has had a spell out but I think he is generally enjoying what we have to offer here.

“Obviously he wants more game time but he understands that, having missed so long, that that is a process.

“Chelsea I think are happy with what he is trying to achieve here and he is working hard. We will wait and see.

“Because he hasn't played so much we will take the thinking over the Christmas period because you never know what could change with a chunk of games coming up. 

“I have had a chat with him today (Thursday), he is looking fitter and sharper and we will wait and see.

“We will see if he can get himself a shirt and play well for us.”