BURNLEY boss Sean Dyche is looking forward to welcoming Ben Mee back into the first team fold, because he knows exactly what he will get from his consistent captain.

The Clarets skipper has returned to full training for the first time since early July, after being sidelined by a problem thigh injury that he suffered in training following Project Restart.

Mee’s last game was the trip to Crystal Palace in late June, where he scored the winner in what was his 300th league appearance for the club.

But although the centre half is not yet ready for a first team recall, as he builds up to full match fitness, Dyche says he knows just what to expect from his dependable defender when he is.

“He has become a very strong player for us and a good captain,” said the Burnley boss of the 31-year-old who he inherited, following Mee's arrival at Turf Moor as a youngster from Manchester City in the summer of 2011.

“This sounds like not strong enough praise but I can assure you it is. He is a very solid campaigner, week in, week out. He is always there for you and delivers and that is a big compliment.

“He is consistent, his values are consistent, a tough-minded fella and a very fair-minded fella and a lot of those qualities don’t just happen off the pitch, they go on the pitch with him.

“He is a player who has been an important part for us and I am sure he will be again.”