Burnley boss Sean Dyche confirms deal for Brighton midfielder Dale Stephens is essentially done

Stephens will join on a two-year deal for what is believed to be an initial £1m, rising to £2.5m.

Burnley had six offers for the player turned down in 2016, the last in excess of £8m, but Dyche has finally got his man, and he said, after the 2-0 win at former club Millwall in the Carabao Cup third round:

"We think that one's there, just dotting the i's and crossing the t's.

"He's a player I've liked historically, he obviously fit with the financial thinking at the minute, but he's a player that we do like, he's an experienced player, I've tried to sign him in the past, and I often have stuck with targets I've managed to get here eventually.

"We wish him all the best when he comes in, it's not done, but it more or less is done.

"I can't see there'll be anything at this time that will stop it."

Stephens, 31, has played for the last three seasons in the Premier League, having played a major role in Brighton getting promoted, and Dyche spoke of what he will bring to the group: "He brings a calmness, experience, composure, he's been through quite a few managers there so he's had a good experience of different ways of working.

"Some of our players have been under me for a while, but when you bring in a player, they have different ways of working, so he'll enjoy the groupm the way our players are bonded, I think he'll buy into all that, so hopefully he'll do well here.

"We like competitive players, in-house competition, that edge, and he can add to that."

Dyche was tight-lipped on links with Liverpool wide man Harry Wilson, however, with suggestions Burnley have entered talks for the Wales international.

As I understand it, the club have an interest in the player, but suggestions of talks, or agreeing a fee, are jumping the gun.

Meanwhile, Jay Rodriguez is expected to miss Saturday's game with former club Southampton at Turf Moor, after suffering an ankle injury at Millwall: "Not ideal, we'll give it 24 hours to settle down, it's more of a twist.

"The lad dropped his foot on him and twisted, no malice, an accidental thing, but it was as he rolled his ankle, so we'll wait and see the extent of it.

"But I'll be pleasantly surprised if he's fit over the next few days."

It was hoped James Tarkowski might be available at The Den, but Dyche confirmed after the game: "Tarky's still not available at the minute, injured."

On the game itself, Dyche was delighted with his young players, who stood up to be counted.

Jimmy Dunne started his third-successive game, while there were full debuts for Josh Benson and Bobby Thomas, with Anthony Glennon also coming on for his first appearance.

Keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell was another debutant, and Dyche said, after a superb strike from Josh Brownhill and Matej Vydra's late clincher: "I thought first half we weren't quite at it - apart from a world-class goal by the way - I reminded the players at half-time and I was pleased with the response.

"The two centre halves were immense all night, and the value of the squad being stretched with injuries, contracts and not making signings, is that the young lads have been with us since returning from lockdown, with us every day, training with the good centre forwards we have. Josh Benson obviously playing against opposite midfielders, Glenno...they've had a taste of football on loan and then come and work with our players every day, and it's benefited them going into this pre-season.

"They've been with us all pre-season, and it does develop them.

"There's still a gap between what they are doing now and playing in the Premier League, but they are certainly on the right pathway.

"There's a good group of players there , that are working hard and striving to do the right things, and that's all you can ask.

"I'm really pleased for them, not just the fact they've done well tonight."