FOR a work project I was asked this week to list the Burnley players who would definitely be at Turf Moor next season.

“No problem,” I said.

But then as soon as I started writing, there was.

Tom Heaton, naturally, is a given seeing as he has just agreed a two-year contract to become manager Sean Dyche’s first permanent signing as Clarets boss.

You can count on Ross Wallace, Dean Marney and Kevin Long for the campaign too, after the trio agreed new deals before the end of last season.

Experienced defender Michael Duff had an extra 12 months triggered based on appearances.

But when you go through the rest of the team and there are question marks over most.

Take Kieran Trippier, for example. The right back has been linked with moves away from the club since his first season at Burnley.

In the last 12 months he has been watched by both Arsenal and Newcastle United.

Trippier, who scooped Burnley’s 2011/12 player of the year prize, had complaints about his own consistency this season, yet still managed to earn a coveted place in the PFA Championship team of the year, as voted for by his peers.

With manager Sean Dyche building from the back, you would expect the likes of Ben Mee, Danny Lafferty and captain Jason Shackell to be around for at least another season. David Edgar is also an asset with his versatility.

But the picture becomes a bit more uncertain as you work your way into midfield.

There has been little mention of Keith Treacy’s future, but Marvin Bartley and Brian Stock are believed to be among those who the club would be prepared to listen to offers for.

Neither featured regularly last season and are not expected to be key figures in Dyche’s plans going forward.

Junior Stanislas had an impact in Burnley coming out of a late brush with the bottom three, rounding off the season with a goal and an assist in the final day win over Ipswich Town.

But having to come off the bench to do so is a factor in the former West Ham wide man’s frustrations. He wants a regular first team place.

Up front, Charlie Austin continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League (English and Scottish) after top scoring with 28 goals for Burnley.

Sam Vokes is likely to stick around, but Martin Paterson has yet to decide whether he will sign a new deal after Burnley left it late to hold talks with the out of contract striker.

Dyche would want to get more out of Danny Ings next season, but it will be interesting to see if former boss Eddie Howe has designs on attempting a reunion after masterminding promotion to the Championship following his return to Bournemouth.

Burnley would dig their heels in if that proved to be the case.

But speaking generally Dyche has already made suggestions that there could be further exits on the back of Lee Grant, Brian Jensen and Chris McCann (among others) leaving at the end of their contracts.

There are a number of squad players who might be keen to go out in search of first team football, like Trippier’s understudy Luke O’Neill, who only made his league debut for the club in the last minute of the last game.

Two out of the three permanent signings made since the new year were put in place by former boss Howe before he left in October.

Neither winger Dane Richards or left back Joseph Mills are guaranteed first team action under Dyche, leaving Burnley open to offers, despite a two-year deal for Mills confirmed only last week.

After having four managers in a four-year period Burnley is still a team in transition.

Almost wholesale changes could be needed before Dyche can make the squad his own.