BURNLEY boss Sean Dyche hopes to have midfield dynamo Dean Marney back in contention for Saturday’s top of the table clash at Leicester City.

The Clarets returned to the summit thanks to a 1-0 win over Barnsley, after trading places with the Foxes for a week.

A second loss of the season at Huddersfield prompted Burnley to slip away from first place for the first time in two months.

But back-to-back defeats for Leicester, against Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton have helped the Clarets – with four points from their last two games – return to top spot.

And Dyche hopes to have Marney available to boost their bid to stay there, after missing six of the last seven league and cup games with a thigh injury.

“He had a good week last week and a good start to this week. We’ve been happy with his progress, so we’re hopeful (for the weekend),” said Dyche, who will continue to monitor top scorer Danny Ings after he suffered yet another knock to his problem ankle.

“Ingsy’s got another few days to let his ankle settle.

“He missed that one game and moved well on Saturday so we’re not expecting any problems there.

“We’re getting back to a full hit again.”

Should Marney return to face third-placed Leicester, that would leave only long-term casualty Ross Wallace as a regular in the treatment room as he works towards a new year comeback.

“Ross is going well as well,” added Dyche.

“There are good signs about the squad.

“It is important we keep them fit and well.”

Burnley were without a number of first team regulars for last week’s goalless home draw with Watford, but Clarets boss Dyche expects to back to full strength for Saturday’s televised game at the King Power Stadium.

“We had that little run of suspensions plus injuries, knocks and bruises, and we’re just coming out of that so we’re happy with it,” he said.