BRIAN Stock has warned friend and former boss Eddie Howe not to expect any favours on his return.

The ex-Clarets chief will walk down the tunnel at Turf Moor tomorrow for the first time since leaving for a second spell as Bournemouth boss in October last year.

Stock, who was brought to the club by Howe just weeks before the former defender’s departure last season, remains pals with the 35-year-old.

The former Cherries midfielder is likely to have to settle for a place on the bench against his old club. But whether he is involved on the day or not, there is no danger of divided loyalties.

“It’s always nice to play against your old clubs but I’d love to win against them. I’m a Burnley player and I absolutely love it here,” he said. “My family’s really settled, the kids love it, and I love playing for Burnley.

“Yes, you look forward to certain games, but it’s something that you just have to treat like any other game, and the most important thing is getting the result.

“I still speak to a couple of people at the club, but obviously that friendship doesn’t come into play once you start playing a game of football. For that 90 minutes you have no friends.”

Stock, a former team-mate of Howe’s during their days together at Dean Court said his mark still remained on the current Clarets crop.

“Although Eddie had to leave for personal reasons I think if you look at the players he’s brought to the club he’s brought some real quality players who are now starting to shine on the pitch.

“He’s done a good job. He’s a terrific manager Eddie, really really good. It’s no surprise he went back to Bournemouth and got them promoted.

“He’s definitely a manager who I think could step up another level.”

But Stock stressed Dyche has taken the team onto another level.

“Our gaffer now is just bringing the best out of the players. The lads’ performances this year have been top drawer,” said the midfielder.

“He was very clever when he came in he didn’t really change too much. The training’s different because he has his own methods.

“If I look back now to when he first arrived it’s been really clever how he’s got to now because he didn’t really change much.

“He’s done it in a transition and built it up. As soon as we got to pre-season we worked really hard, we’re a really fit team and he’s done it really well.”