#PremierLeagueStories – #SeanDyche says he won’t be Risking Players Despite an Outside Chance of Qualifying for Europe #BurnleyFC

Burnley manager Sean Dyche would be reluctant to take risks over his players’ fitness for the final few games of this season for fear it could jeopardise their availability for the next campaign. Burnley have been up against the odds with injuries and expiration of contracts for multiple players but they have managed to get into the top 10 and are just a few points off a Europa League spot. But despite an outside chance of playing Europe next season, Sean Dyche has said he won’t be risking any players in the remaining matches given their workload and the fact that there will be a short turn around the window at the end of the season.

Sean Dyche said “With such a short period for the games, it’s unlikely that those two are going to make the games. It’s unfortunate but it could have come at a time when we weren’t in the shape we’re in. We’re at 46 points which is our second highest total we’ve ever had in the Premier League. These injuries and different challenges have come when we’ve got good points on the table. With the points we’ve got, we’re not going to rush people back in for what might be one or two games which might then affect next season. We’ve got to be careful with that. We can’t get (players) reserve-team football, obviously, so they’re lacking in real match sharpness. It would be foolish to throw them back in without any kind of training spells. Woody has done well and got back quicker than we thought, Johann’s been up and down with niggly calves so we’ve got to be careful with him, Robbie as well. The challenge, even when we’re getting players fit, it’s difficult to throw them straight into a Premier League game without having hardly any football. We know how that feels when you’re working hard down there, there’s an edge on every game as there always is but particularly when you’re down there because it means a lot to stay in the Premier League. West Ham look to me like they’re very motivated, they’ve pulled out a couple of big results and they’re still a good side, I know that.”