INJURY means Kieran Trippier is unlikely to have a reunion with his old club this afternoon, on the pitch at least.

But Burnley manager Sean Dyche will be hoping for a catch-up with a player he still holds in high regard.

Trippier left for Spurs in the summer of 2015. And while the right back had to bide his time before establishing himself in the first team, he has since gone on to become a regular for England.

The Bury-born defender starred for the Three Lions at last summer’s World Cup, becoming only the third England player to score in a World Cup semi-final after Bobby Charlton’s brace in 1966 and Gary Lineker’s solo goal at Italia ‘90.

But rather than claim a feather in his or the club’s cap for their role in the former Manchester City youngster’s development, Dyche said: “I think it gives him a sense of pride. He still references his time here as being important to him.

“Tripps has matured into a respectful pro - not just his talent but I think he’s matured into a really good pro, in my experience.

“I loved him when he was here. I always made a joke with the lads saying ‘you know I don’t do favourites, apart from Tripps!’.

“He’s someone I’m still in touch with, only texts and that sort of stuff, but he’s a fantastic character. I enjoyed every minute of being with him here.”

And Dyche said Trippier was a shining example of why long balls should be referred to as long passes.

“I once said about Kieran Trippier - and now of course people believe me - he’s one of the best passers of a football I’ve ever seen.

“I said it back then, and I said it at the end when he left, and I said it when he’d gone, and I’m saying it now. I don’t get this thing about long balls. If you’re a Premier League footballer, you shouldn’t be one if you can’t pass a ball 40-50 yards.

“Tripps is one of the best I’ve seen.

“So why on earth would you limit him to only playing 10-yard passes?

“The number of times he got Ingsy (Danny Ings) in over the top with a 40-yard pass. Why would you take that away?”

“That’s just seeing someone’s skill set and saying ‘go and use it son’.”