THERE will be a lot of love for the returning Kieran Tripper when Spurs visit Turf Moor this lunchtime - not least from Burnley boss Sean Dyche.

The Tottenham full back made nearly 200 appearances for Burnley, the vast majority of them under Sean Dyche, before leaving for Spurs in 2015.

He has since broken into the first XI under Mauricio Pochettino, earned England recognition and scored in the semi-final of the World Cup.

And Dyche takes great pride in the 28-year-old's progress.

"I just love the kid, his character, his manner, his inner-drive and determination," the Clarets boss said of the right back.

"He wouldn’t really shout the odds about it but the way he trained and went away about it.

"There is a lot to like about Kieran.

"I don’t keep in touch with many players because of the nature of the business but I do with Kieran, just now and again we share a couple of text messages and that sort of stuff because he is just one of the best packages I have come across as a footballer."

Trippier had to be patient for his chance at Spurs, with Kyle Walker initially ahead of him in the pecking order, but Dyche always felt the Ramsbottom man would force his way into the side at club and country level.

"I mentioned it years ago when I had him and we were in the Championship," said Dyche of Trippier's England potential.

"I said to the powers that be at the FA that you should be monitoring this lad. I had great belief in his ability and I thought his defensive understanding was improving and I thought it would improve working with me and my staff here and the team, which it did.

"I am pleased for him because when he first went to Tottenham it was a bit up and down and he was in and out and it was difficult for him but he has stuck at it and continues to get his rewards for what he does.

"He was a valuable part of us and he is becoming a more and more valuable part of Tottenham.

"I know they have other options but he is more and more an increasing part of them and also on the international scene so all credit to him."

Dyche added: "I have always said he was a top player. I was amazed it took so long for him to be playing regularly at Tottenham but every manager will have their own reasons for that, but, for me, only because of what I saw here everyday - his ability is outstanding, his technical ability.

"I enjoyed being around him, I enjoyed him being in our camp, I enjoyed his performances in training, his desire was improving all the time, his professionalism was improving all the time. The understanding of the profession not just the game and that has continued to grow into a real all-rounder and a very good professional.

"Apart from Saturday we want that to continue."