Dyche’s delight at response from Ings
The Clarets boss admitted last week he had thought about leaving the 22-year-old out at Sunderland, as the reports intensified linking him with a move away from Turf Moor.
He withdrew Ings midway through the second half, but, after the transfer window closed on Monday with Ings still a Burnley player, amid interest from Liverpool, Spurs and Real Sociedad, the England Under 21 forward netted his eighth goal of the season in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with West Brom.
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Hide AdDyche had expected such a reaction, saying: “He’ll have a good week’s training and that will settle everything down, and he can crack on being a Burnley football player.”
But he admitted: “I thought he was excellent, his movement, his endeavour, his effervescence, his will to play, and a fine finish - that’s why we were so strong in keeping him.
“We know he’s an important figure, and I thought Barnesey (Ashley Barnes) was excellent again with him, he shoulders a lot of the not-so-glossy work that Ingsy gives us.
“I told the truth last week, he’s a young man and the amount of media speculation on a young player can take its toll. It did last week, but his response was outstanding, the whole feel of his performance was excellent.”
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Hide AdMeanwhile, Dyche will hope key midfielder Dean Marney is fit to face Manchester United at Old Trafford tomorrow night.
Marney came off at half-time on Sunday with a knee problem, and Dyche said: “Well wait and see, it’s too early.”
But Dyche refused to dwell on the failure to add to his central midfield options in the window: “It is what it is the nature of working in the market we do.