BURNLEY winger Robbie Brady looks set to miss the opening day of the Premier League season with a fractured rib.

The Irishman suffered the injury in pre-season, which forced him off in the first half against Parma on Saturday.

Defenders James Tarkowski and Kevin Long both sat out the 2-0 win over the Italian side, but are both available for the visit of Southampton.

"Robbie had a knock on his ribs and we've now found out it was a tiny hairline fracture, rather than the intercostal muscles, which is why it's been so sore," said Dyche.

"He's unlikely to figure, but everyone else is just about there, so we're pleased with that. Tarky is good and Kevin Long is good."

Belgian international Steven Defour remains out of Dyche's matchday plans as he works his way back from a problematic calf injury.

Dyche insists the midfielder is still in his plans as he is about to embark on his fourth consecutive season in the Premier League.

"Stevie still has a longer term view of coming back to true fitness," added Burnley's manager.

"He knows that we think a lot of him, but he's had a real tough time of it.

"And true fitness is being out there training every day, super-fit, running, training and playing.

"He's quite a way behind that at the moment, so that will come next."

"I think we have made some good signings, albeit not thrashing around the money again," he said.

"The squad has a rounded feel to it and we hope that bodes well with that competitive element in the group.

"I spoke about it today. You saw the mixed sides we have been playing, because there are a lot of players who have laid down a marker and been really strong performers.

"That in-house competitive edge is a valuable thing, that competitiveness to get the shirt and then to perform to keep the shirt.

"That's what a rounded squad mentality brings. There are a lot of good signs. Those signs have to become realities."