WHEN Burnley made the trip to the south coast to face Southampton just over a year ago their away games were coming with a health warning.

The 3-1 defeat at St Mary's, which could have been more but for the heroics of Tom Heaton, was towards the nadir of the Clarets' wretched early away run in the Premier League.

In their previous away game before the October 16 clash with Southampton they had been humbled 3-0 at Leicester and a month later they would be thrashed 4-0 at West Brom.

A year on the Clarets head south in very different frame on mind. At the 18th time of asking they landed an away win last season, and they've not looked back since, with just one defeat on the road this term from games at Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool, Everton and Manchester City.

That daunting start to life away from Turf Moor in 2017/18 eases slightly with a clash against the Saints, but Sean Dyche has been impressed with Mauricio Pellegrino's team so far, and he will urge his side to repeat their heroics at Stamford Bridge, Wembley, Anfield and Goodison this weekend.

"They look a good side, I’ve seen them a couple times, once live at Stoke, and they look good and have done for the last few years. It’s a new manager getting his principles in and how he wants the team to work," Dyche said of Saturday's opponents.

"It’s a similarish format, with a different coaching style. The rough format is the same as what they have been doing for the last few years, in terms of the tactical shape he wants.

"Different players have blended back into the team. Van Dijk is back and that situation has calmed down, he’s a very good player.

"We have morphed into something different away from home and it’s important we remember that and reflect on the performances we’ve had away and use that experience to come into this game.

"We are in good shape, physically and mentally. We have to peep believing in what we do."

Burnley could be boosted by the fitness of Steven Defour, who looks set to win his race to start at St Mary's.

The midfielder was withdrawn with a tight groin against Newcastle on Monday night but Dyche said the Belgian had 'looked good' in his recovery session.

Chris Wood could also return after the New Zealand striker missed the win over the Magpies with a hamstring injury.

"Woody has a chance. We have been careful with that one. We’ll make a decision (on Friday), he was out on the grass with us today," Dyche said.

"Steven Defour looked good on recovery (on Thursday), probably due to his experience because he knows his body. It’s settled down. So he comes back into the thinking for the weekend."