BOSS Sean Dyche believes his firing frontmen have played a key role in the Clarets' recent rise.

Burnley are unbeaten in seven Premier League games ahead of the visit of Tottenham to Turf Moor tomorrow,

And Dyche, whose side spent four days in Portugal during their mini-break from action, has heaped praise on Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes.

The latter has four goals in his last six games while Wood has six in his last nine, including a brace and win over Brighton last time out.

"They are doing really well," the Clarets chief said of his strike pairing. "I spoke to them and said that when they are playing hard and with the quality they have and the movement they have and the pace and the energy they have then they are a handful for anyone.

"The last game in particular at Brighton I thought they were outstanding, both of them.

"Every team needs a front and when you have a front to your team it makes you a better team. That is why the centre forwards are worth all the money.

"They are putting in the work, not just the quality, they are putting in the work now. It is not that they weren’t, there was just little bit more edge to what they are doing.

"They have been really strong in training again this week and I am enjoying everyone’s performance but them in particular. They have been very, very good."

Dyche added to his striking choices in January with the addition of Peter Crouch and the Burnley boss believes he has the right mix of attacking options at the club with Matej Vydra another alternative.

"We have a mixture," he added. "Crouchy obviously is different, Vyds is still earning his spurs somewhat and Woody and Barnesy are a bit more rounded in what we do here. They are in really good form at the moment."

Crouch has made one substitute appearance since joining the club, winning a penalty against Southampton on his debut before being an unused sub at the Amex Stadium.

The 38-year-old has now had more time to bed in with his new teammates and Dyche is pleased with his progress.

"He has been really good, good in the group and good around the camp," said the Clarets boss. "We know that anyway, he is a real character and a natural character, what he displays is what he is."