Burnley have fielded accusations of being over physical, not least from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp this week.

But on the contrary manager Sean Dyche feels that this season in particular they have perhaps not been physical enough.

The Clarets have been up and around the top of the fair play table for at least the last two seasons, while this term they have yet to have a player suspended.

Not only that, the last red card they received was when Ashley Barnes picked up two bookings in the 1-1 draw at Huddersfield on February 25, 2017.

So the statistics alone would counter Klopp’s argument.

“I would say we haven’t been physical enough this season.

“Tackle counts are down and blockings down,” said the Burnley boss.

“I’m pretty sure year on year we’re almost at the top of the fair play table, and we’ve had 18 months without a red card.

“Maybe we’re a bit stand offish because of the rules.”

In addition, the Clarets have now gone 59 games without a penalty award.

“I think Bournemouth have had six this year, we haven’t had any in 59 (games) or something like that,” said the Burnley boss. “I think Palace have had five, Brighton have had five I think, in the league, so 15 games, and we haven’t had one in 59. How does that make sense?”

Meanwhile, Burnley will exercise caution with Steven Defour (knee), after he suffered an injury setback.

“Defour will be touch and go,” said Dyche. “At this stage, we’ve got to be sensible with it.”