SEAN Dyche has praised the unsung heroes in his Burnley squad for helping to build the Clarets’ ‘never say die attitude’.

While three of Dyche’s side have started every league game - Tom Heaton, Ben Mee and Scott Arfield - and another five have started at least 37 of their 44 Championship fixtures, Dyche is full of praise for those who have found themselves on the fringes this season but have continued to give their all.

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The Clarets chief has a much stronger squad to choose from now compared to the promotion campaign of two years ago, but he believes every member of his side is playing their part in the table-toppers’ success.

“There are people behind the scenes. It’s an unfortunate thing when I pick a certain squad,” he said of those squad members who have had to bide their time this season.

“Michael Kightly’s reaction to being left out – fantastic, Rouwen Hennings, these people, they are supporting they group wholeheartedly as if they’re playing.

“That builds that never-say-die attitude and resilience. All the things you need as well for the ability to win games.”

Kightly has made 18 appearances in the league this season, six of them from the bench, but has played only 15 minutes since the end of January and hasn’t been on the bench since the 0-0 draw with Cardiff, while Hennings has made 23 appearances from the bench and started just three games, but has only been on the bench once in the last six league games.

Dyche said he explains his selection decisions to his players after naming his starting XI.

“We ask them to be open-minded, I explain every decision to them so they’re full of information for why things have changed,” said Dyche who also praised midfielders David Jones and Dean Marney who have competed for the central slot alongside Joey Barton.

“Dave Jones had a terrific season then Dean Marney’s played the last few. They are tough calls but that’s my job.”

Barton, who has started every league game since breaking into the side, added: “Everybody is in this together, you look around the see the squad, the lads who can’t make the bench, we’ve got some fantastic players who can’t get in the squad. They’re the unsung heroes because they train every day, they do the things everybody else does, we do it properly and we do it as a team.

“The guys who are fortunate enough to get selected in the 11 or come off the bench have been getting the plaudits, but it’s a squad effort. Some players might not get the adulation but they’re a huge part of it and we know as a squad how vital they are. They’re a credit to their profession.”

Marney came off in injury time in the win at Deepdale with the 32-year-old unsure of his problem, but it is thought he was just struggling with cramp.

“We’re hopeful it’s nothing too serious,” said Dyche. “He couldn’t decide if it was cramp or a pull so we had to get him off to make sure.”