SEAN Dyche hopes Nick Pope will be able to get some action in Burnley’s final pre-season friendly against Parma at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Follow Tom Heaton’s departure to Aston Villa, the 27-year-old is hoping to cement his place as the Clarets’ undisputed No.1.

Joe Hart might have something to say about that having performed well in pre-season while Leeds ‘keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell is also set to arrive in a £2.5 million deal in the wake of Heaton’s exit.

Pope, who signed a new long-term contract in May, has not played since being given the full 90 minutes at Crewe, missing the last three friendlies due to a groin problem.

Ben Gibson has also been absent with an ankle injury but returned to training on Wednesday while Robbie Brady has an issue with his ribs.

“We hope Popey can play on Saturday,” said Dyche.

“He needs minutes so he will play providing he is fit. It’s been more of a precaution.

“Robbie is slightly different because it is his ribs and when they are sore they are sore. That is just about it settling down.

“Ben’s been super fit. He’s rolled his ankle but the ankle settled down so quickly, probably a lot quicker than most. Tuesday night (the 6-1 win over Nice) just came a bit quickly for him.”

Saturday’s game against Serie A side Parma, who finished 14th in the Italian top flight last season, represents the final chance for Dyche to ensure everyone is as sharp as possible for the Premier League opener against Southampton at Turf Moor seven days later.

“We are making sure everyone is fit and everyone has minutes and we are in much clearer position to do that this season of course compared to last year when we had the Europa League,” said Dyche.

“It has been more normalised. The ones who have missed a game we will have to use Saturday to get them competitive minutes.”