SEAN Dyche says Ashley Barnes’ suspension has offered one of his Burnley squad a golden opportunity to become a hero in the club’s survival bid.

Barnes will miss Saturday’s Premier League fixture at home to Leicester City as he serves a one-match ban following his dismissal in the weekend loss at Everton.

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That means the Clarets must make a change in midfield against the Foxes, after naming the same team for the last five matches.

It sets up what appears to be a four-way battle for a spot in the starting line-up.

Matt Taylor, Michael Kightly or Ross Wallace could fill in on the flank, and Dyche also has the option of using Stephen Ward in central midfield and moving Scott Arfield back to the wing.

Ward started in central midfield in Burnley’s 2-2 draw at Leicester in October.

Dyche said: “It gives someone else another opportunity to lay a marker down and affect a game of football for us.

“That will be a positive for whoever we decide to play.”

Burnley dropped to the bottom of the Premier League table on Saturday for the first time since their win at Stoke City in November – still their only away triumph of the campaign.

But they remain two points from safety and Dyche is trying to play down the particular importance of the clash with fellow relegation candidates Leicester.

“It’s not about the next game, it’s about all of the games,” the Clarets boss said.

“We’ve got five left, it’s important to focus on the next one which happens to be Leicester but it’s really points on the board, that’s what we need.”

Dyche insists there is no lack of belief among his squad that they can stay in the Premier League.

“Absolutely not,” he said.

“You saw the way the players played on Saturday, there’s never been a lack of belief, there’s never been a lack of organisation or physical energy.

“But it has been the cutting edge and the details of the games. You’ve got to take your chances at this level, and we didn’t.

“But absolutely no lack of belief, we’ve been written off since one minute after promotion last year so the lads are used to that, that doesn’t break them. It dents you but it doesn’t break you.

“They’ll be ready to go again.”

Star striker Danny Ings is now without a goal in his last eight games but Dyche says the pressure should not be all in the England under 21 international.

“Yes, Danny needs to find his goal touch but it’s not just him,” he said.

“You want everyone and anyone to score. Boydy has got goals, Scott Arfield’s chipped in.

“David Jones had a great chance against Everton so the whole team has to step up to the plate.

“I’d be questioning us more if we weren’t creating chances but we have been creating.

“It’s rare at this level that you see a whole plethora of chances, say 15 or 20 like you see in other leagues, so when your chances come you have to take them.”