SEAN Dyche has admitted Ashley Westwood was 'really unlucky' to find himself back on the bench against Manchester City last weekend.

The midfielder had made his first Premier League start of the season in midweek against Newcastle but with Dyche reverting to a 4-4-2 against the runaway leaders it was Jeff Hendrick who dropped deeper to partner Jack Cork.

That meant Westwood was back on the bench but Dyche revealed he had spoken to the former Aston Villa man to explain the situation and why he was out of the side.

"He was really unlucky but don’t forget it was a change of tactics situation, which I’d spoke to him about," the Clarets chief said.

"It wasn’t about him, it was about the team format. And sometimes, you know how it is in football, it not about your performances it’s about, look, the team is operating in this way this week, for example.

"That has happened more so this season. There’s a few occasions where we’ve changed the side and it’s not because someone hasn’t been performing it’s just been because the team needed it, or I felt we needed it, on any given day.

"And last week it worked – well certainly second half it worked – and therefore it was a good decision, but it doesn’t always work. So yes he is unfortunate but not because of his performance levels, just a chance of tactical shape."

Westwood could find himself back in the side at Swansea City this weekend if Dyche goes back to the 4-4-1-1 shape he has used more often than not this season.

That could see Hendrick pushed back into a more advanced role and Westwood returning alongside Cork.