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James Tarkowski: Burnley boss Sean Dyche expects defender to stay at the club

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Burnley manager Sean Dyche says he has no plans to let defender James Tarkowski leave the club in this transfer window

Burnley boss Sean Dyche expects England defender James Tarkowski to be at Turf Moor beyond the transfer window.

Tarkowski has been a target for Premier League rivals during the window, which closes on Monday night, with Leicester tabling a £30m bid for the 27-year-old.

However, the Foxes signed St Etienne defender Wesley Fofana on Friday to likely end their interest in Tarkowski.

"He (Tarkowski) is an important player to us, he's a very good player," Dyche said ahead of Burnley's Premier League visit to Newcastle on Saturday - live on Sky Sports.

"He's a player who continues to develop and unless I'm told differently by the powers that be at the club he will be here.

West Ham have seen their advances for James Tarkowski so far turned down by Burney
Image: Leicester made a £30m bid for Tarkowski at the end of September

"He's certainly not part of that group that we think is going to leave."

On possible arrivals - Liverpool's Welsh winger Harry Wilson continues to be linked with the Clarets - Dyche said there was "nothing imminent" before Monday's deadline.

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Burnley remain pointless after losing their opening league games to Leicester and Southampton.

But Tarkowski and Ashley Barnes have boosted them in playing their first games of the season in Wednesday's Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester City.

Tarkowski was troubled by a toe injury and striker Barnes had not featured since New Year's Day following a hernia operation.

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"It's been a really hard road back," Dyche said of Barnes' rehabilitation. "But he's listened to us and we gave him a plan of attack when he got right to the end.

"He was chomping and wanted to be back quicker than anyone was thinking. We had to slow that down.

"We gave him a programme and said: 'Look, you'll be ready for this game,' which was the other night. I thought he did really well."

Burnley - 10th last season - find themselves in the bottom three heading into the final game before the international break.

But Dyche believes his side have played a lot better than their results have suggested.

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Highlights of the Carabao Cup fourth round match between Burnley and Man City

He said: "We had a very similar situation after lockdown, including the complication of losing players I didn't want to lose. But the mentality of the players was steadfast.

"I don't think we're far off and we should definitely have got something against Southampton."

Burnley's trip to Tyneside means a quick reunion with Jeff Hendrick, the Republic of Ireland midfielder who made 139 appearances for the Clarets before joining Newcastle as a free agent in August.

"It was a situation I felt could have been avoided," Dyche said of Hendrick's departure after the former club-record signing failed to agree new terms at Turf Moor.

"But that's the way it goes, I am used to managing situations here.

"He's a good player and was a fantastic professional here. He had question marks from fans, but sometimes that was unfair because we played him in all different positions."

Transfer Deadline Day - October 5

The summer transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday October 5 with a feast of activity throughout the day involving the biggest names in football.

Some of the highlights to enjoy on Sky Sports News and across our Sky Sports platforms:

  • Breakfast with David Ginola and Rachel Yankey
  • The Football Show Special with Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole
  • Countdown with Harry and Jamie Redknapp
  • Supporters at the heart of the show with Sky VIP fan wall

You can also follow the stories on Sky Sports' digital platforms, with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.

Here's all you need to know about Deadline Day and how to keep across all the deals and drama with Sky Sports.

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