Sean Dyche's intriguing response when asked about Ben Gibson's Middlesbrough situation

The 27-year-old centre-back is training with his former club Middlesbrough after not being allowed to leave Turf Moor in January.

Boro were interested in re-signing Gibson on loan while Premier League club Watford saw a bid rejected for the player on deadline day.

Gibson joined Burnley for £15million in the summer of 2018 but has grown frustrated at his lack of game time with the Clarets.

Since leaving Boro, the defender has made just one Premier League appearance, with centre-back duo James Tarkowski and Ben Mee ahead of him in the pecking order.

Following reports that Gibson was training with Boro on Wednesday, Burnley released the following statement: “Following reports in the national press, Burnley Football Club can confirm they have given Ben Gibson permission to train with Middlesbrough Football Club.

"The defender made it clear, in the weeks leading up to the end of the January transfer window, that he wanted to leave Turf Moor to seek regular first team football.

"Unfortunately for the player, the club did not receive an offer it felt was acceptable and he remains contracted to the club.

"The club will not be making any further comment on this matter."

Dyche was then asked about Gibson in his pre-match press conference ahead of Burnley’s game against Southampton this weekend.

"It is a situation that builds off the back of the club's statement,” said Dyche. “It is a unique situation. There is a private angle. He is still a Burnley player.

"Not every player can play. Here we have had very good centre-backs. He couldn't force his way into the team and frustration builds off the back of that."

When asked if we could see Gibson in a Burnley shirt again, Dyche replied: "We will see. Time will tell"

Gibson signed a four-year contract at Turf Moor which won’t expire until the summer of 2022.

The defender helped Boro win promotion to the Premier League in 2016 and remains a popular figure on Teesside.