BURNLEY manager Sean Dyche has been reassured that he will have money to strengthen his squad in January.

The Clarets spent around £8million on recruitment post-promotion, with a total of 10 players – five of them commanding fees – walking through the Turf Moor doors.

It is the most the club has splashed out in a single transfer window, and tops the summer spend of 2009 – the last time they won promotion to the Premier League – by more than £1m.

But the Burnley board managed their budget carefully to ensure that Dyche will be in a position to arm himself for the second half of the season and make additions where necessary when the transfer window re-opens in the new year.

“We’ve got some money left for January so that it keeps our options open,” said co-chairman John Banaszkiewicz, who added that he was pleased with Burnley’s summer business.

“I’ve congratulated Sean on his transfer activity.

“It’s not been easy, it’s been challenging, but it’s been a learning curve as well.”

Burnley were frustrated in their attempts to make a number of signings.

Bids for Watford striker Troy Deeney, West Brom defender Craig Dawson, Derby County duo Craig Bryson and Richard Keogh and Wigan Athletic midfielder James McArthur were all knocked back.

Bryson opted to sign a new deal with the promotion hunting Rams, and Keogh is expected to do the same, McArthur made a £7m switch to Crystal Palace after the fee escalated beyond Burnley’s boundaries, while Deeney and Dawson remained with their respective clubs.

But the Clarets felt certain aspects were beyond their control.

“The Ross McCormack deal and a couple of others distorted the market a lot,” said Banaszkiewicz, with reference to the surprise £11million fee paid by Fulham to Leeds for last year’s Championship top scorer.

“There have been some inflated prices. I’ve only been a director for three years, but this has definitely been the most challenging period.

“But it all came good in the end.”