SEAN Dyche has hailed the performances of Irish pair Robbie Brady and Stephen Ward as the Clarets close in on Premier League survival.

The weekend point at Middlesbrough means Burnley are eight points clear of the bottom three with just six games to go and, although Dyche is taking nothing for granted in the battle to stay up, he has been hugely impressed by the recent form of full back Ward and record signing Brady.

Both impressed in the goalless draw on Teesside and Dyche believes the pair are just two of a string of impressive performers for the Clarets this season.

The Turf boss said: “Ward played ever so well, a number of them are, who probably go under the radar a little bit.

“Jeff (Hendrick) has come out of it with two big performances, Joey (Barton) has been different class this week.

“Wardy is in a really good place, it bodes well, but you can’t take it for granted.

“I really like the shape we have got at the back. They have got good industry and I like the demand of the back five - the way the accept responsibility. “They have got good players in front of them who work ever so hard for the team. that has helped us in a defensive sense.

“I have been pleased with our defending.”

And Dyche added of Brady: “I thought that was the most he’s looked like we work.

“It takes time for some players, and I thought he got the script with the shape, and he had some real quality moments.

“The team is in a good place, we have to take on the next challenge and take care of ourselves.”

Burnley travel to Everton this weekend looking to end their long wait for an away win and with safety all but confirmed but Dyche insists his side won’t get complacent in the final weeks of the season.

“You can never guarantee it until it’s done so I think our focus is on every game as it comes,” added the Burnley boss.

“We’ve maintained that with the players, a big week with the three games, to pull four points out of it is pleasing.

“There is still more work to be done because you want to take care of your own business.

“We’ve given ourselves a good base position to do that so it’s important we do that now and that’s the focus.

“We want to stay on the front foot and try to take on every team we play against.”

Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Swansea currently sit in the relegation zone while a further five sides sit between Burnley and the bottom three and Dyche accepts that with such a congested table the fight for survival could go to the final day of the season.

“It possibly could,” he added. “I’m not bothered about anyone else, we just look to take care of our own business, and four points from three games after a tough run is a good return.”