Phil SumblerSean Dyche was asked yesterday whether the morning reports were true and that Connor Roberts could be leaving Burnley in the January transfer window.
The Clarets boss responded with a very simple “No” before elaborating on his reasons as clubs were placed on alert by the report that the Welsh international could be available for loan in the New Year.
Game time at Turf Moor has been restricted to just one League Cup appearance since his move on deadline day from Swansea and that has led to sources close to Burnley suggesting that he could be allowed to leave on loan during the next transfer window.
But as Dyche prepared his side for the visit of Tottenham on Sunday he was asked the question and responded with a “No.”
“He is a very good player, he has improved with what we do I believe and his chance will come as long as he trains hard.
“I have always believed in earning the right and players have to do that for starters. They have to play in a way and a fashion for themselves and the team to make sure they are delivering and when they are doing that they gain the shirt for the right reasons.
“The challenge for anyone who is not is waiting and keeping professional and delivering performances to try and get that chance.
“Connor will be well aware of that, he has only been here a few months. He came in and was injured so he has had to get over that and has done a great job with that and he is a very fit lad.
“Generally I think he is waiting for a chance and he will be working for the chance rightly so.”
First Joe Rodon, now Connor Roberts. These guys are Premiership level players but they are not getting a chance. Swansea let them both go too cheaply. if the buyers had paid a market price they might be under more pressure to play them. As it is they would have been better off staying put. Swans would be more convincing play-off contenders too.