Burnley vs Leicester City - Dyche plays down talk of Steven Defour moving to China

Posted Tuesday, January 31, 2017 by PA

Burnley boss Sean Dyche insists he has no issue with Steven Defour despite the Belgium midfielder intimating he would not be averse to a big-money move to China.

Defour scored a stunning goal in Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup win over Bristol City but expressed some frustration after the game, saying he would "have to think" about any prospective offer.

The 28-year-old moved to Turf Moor in a B#7.5million deal from Anderlecht in the summer but has previously expressed disappointment with his relative lack of game time.

Dyche said: "I've only just found about his comments but they've got to say something and we all know the realities - they put one word out of place and people try to make a story out of it.

"I think it's fair to say he is going along well here and enjoying his football. He scored a fantastic goal on Saturday and he has certainly not mentioned anything to me about playing further afield."

Burnley continue to be linked with a B£13million deal for Norwich midfielder Robbie Brady before the end of the transfer window but Dyche refused to go into any specifics regarding his transfer business.

He added: "I've said all along that we're a team and a club that is looking to add players that we think can take us forward, and not get rid of them."

Three more points at home to Leicester on Tuesday night would further boost the Clarets' survival hopes at a time when their recent injury problems are beginning to ease.

Despite the loss of Dean Marney to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, both Scott Arfield and Johann Berg Gudmundsson are set to figure after making successful returns on Saturday.

Tom Heaton and Jeff Hendrick are among those set to be restored to the Clarets' starting line-up but Dean Marney is out with an anterior ligament injury.

Leicester have yet to win on the road during the defence of their title while Burnley have been strong at Turf Moor, winning 25 of their 26 points at home.

Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri knows it will be another tough examination of his team, saying: "We try to win tomorrow against a very big team at home. They have 26 points and 25 have come at home.

"They lost just the first match against Swansea, and then Manchester City and Arsenal. They have won eight games and one draw. That makes it a very tough match but we are ready.

"We know what to expect and I think we have to be very smart and strong. We know the crowd push them a lot and we must be calm and play our match.

"It is a big match but all the matches we have are key matches because we want to reach 40 points. That is a goal and we want to reach that as soon as possible."

Leicester will still be without Islam Slimani as the Algeria international striker has returned from the African Nations Cup with a groin injury.

Wantaway striker Leonardo Ulloa, who criticised Ranieri and the club for apparently denying him a move away from the King Power Stadium on Monday, will not be involved either as he is nursing a thigh problem.