Burnley braced for stimulating Leeds United test

The relegated Clarets make the short trip over the Pennines for their first league game after relegation last term and Dyche acknowledges it will be a real test.

He said: “Leeds have had a change of manager and way of thinking which may stimulate them, but we’re focused on ourselves.”

Burnley are expected to be without new signing Matt Lowton and Fredrik Ulvestad as they get their Championship campaign underway.

Lowton is struggling with a shin problem which kept him out of the final friendly at home to Bradford City last Saturday – a game in which Norwegian international Ulvestad suffered a twisted ankle.

Burnley have been rebuffed after making an enquiry about signing Scottish international Grant Hanley, captain of bitter rivals Blackburn Rovers.

Meanwhile, Football League figures have revealed that Leeds had the top average away support in the Football League last season at an impressive 2,774.

In second place were Middlesbrough with 2,237 with Derby County (2,165) being the only other side whose average away following was over 2,000 last term.