WITH the increased focus on Championship leaders Burnley, they will have lost count of the number of times they have been asked if their squad is big enough and strong enough to survive.

It is a question that manager Sean Dyche is having to field on a weekly basis as newcomers from national newspapers and broadcasting corporations pop in for a first chat with the man who has masterminded the Clarets’ climb and put Burnley back on the map.

He needs no reminders.

While there is competition for places in his current crop, a bench that included youngster Steven Hewitt for the first time in the league this season shows the impact that a handful of absences through injuries and suspensions can have on the squad.

But the manner in which Burnley missed out on Connor Wickham highlights that their battle to make signings – on loan or otherwise – has not got any easier despite their early season success.

There will be some that just go chasing the money, but they will be in the minority.

The majority, given the position that Burnley are in, will want the chance to contribute to their top end challenge and to be part of something special – like Rhys Williams and Russell Anderson; two key loan arrivals in the Clarets’ promotion campaign of 2008/09.

Michael Kightly, who arrived in the nick of time on the last transfer deadline day, has proved a significant signing.

Who knows how important his deflected equaliser at Millwall will prove to be come the end of the season, as it ensured that Burnley remained unbeaten for a 10th league game?

I’m sure Wickham would have loved to jump on the bandwagon.

But Sunderland wanted assurances that their player would play wherever he went.

Quite rightly, Burnley could not guarantee that.

The fans would be up in arms for starters if the brilliant Sam Vokes-Danny Ings partnership was dismantled for the sake of getting a newcomer a certain quota of match minutes.

But that would not be on Dyche’s agenda either.

In this instance, the Clarets have become victims of their own success story.

But if they can keep the nucleus of the squad fit and available going forward, then surely their success can continue regardless.