SEAN Dyche feels an empty Den could work to Burnley's advantage in the Carabao Cup tonight.

The Clarets boss spent three years as a player at Millwall and experienced the hostile atmosphere the home fans created for the opposition.

Ongoing restrictions in response to the coronavirus pandemic mean that football will continue to be played behind closed doors.

And while Dyche is expecting a tough encounter against his old club, he feels the deserted stands could play into his side's hands.

"I think they will still try to bring that fervour to it in a cup game. I just think that without the fans there it's a different feel," said the Burnley manager, who signed for Millwall from Bristol City in 1999.

"I was injured there unfortunately and I played a few reserve games there (without crowds), so it quite obviously feels different.

"That doesn't mean we win the game.

"We've still got to take on the challenge properly and correctly against a good Millwall side.

"They finished well last season, so we have to go down there with the right mindset

"I just think it's different when the fans are in there, particularly if they get a number in there. I've witnessed it and I've played in it."

Even though tonight's third round visit will be the first time Dyche has been back to his old club for a while, he still keeps in touch with former team-mates.

"I had a Zoom call over lockdown with Steven Reid, Neil Harris, Tony Warner, Joe Dolan, who's over in Australia and Paul Ifill, who's in New Zealand. Stuart Nethercott and Robbie Ryan were on it too," he explained.

"We've all kept in touch and it was good to get a few of the old boys on there."