THE upcoming first team returns of Steven Defour and Robbie Brady can act as 'fuel' to those players trying to keep their places in the Burnley side, according to Sean Dyche.

Belgium midfielder Defour took his first step on the road to match fitness this week, playing 45 minutes for the Under-23s against Bolton Wanderers, while Brady will begin his own games programme shortly.

The longer than expected absences of two of the Clarets' creative linchpins have not helped Burnley's stuttering start to the season, while Dyche also sighted a 'tough' transfer window.

But the Turf boss believes the absence of increased numbers in the squad should be pleasing to players keen to impress.

"The window was tough, simple as that, we were hoping to bring in more bodies to affect it, freshen it, but behind that, there’s a group of players who should be thinking ‘good, I’ve got a better chance of playing’," he said.

"So there’s a balance. I’m not going to hide behind that, it is a fact we were in for about three more players and didn’t get them, same as it’s a fact with Steven and Robbie, who have been terrific for us last season, so we want them to come back fit and that gives us more options and more guile, more effectiveness hopefully in attack.

"But that is good fuel for a player playing now, if they’re coming back soon, they’ve got to play."