Despite being a regular starter for most of last season, Jeff Hendrick has fallen out of favour with Burnley manager Sean Dyche this campaign.
Speaking on Tuesday's OTB AM, Irish football journalist David Sneyd said the Irish midfielder has been cast aside.
“I think there is something bubbling under the current there with Hendrick and Sean Dyche.
“He hasn’t played a game in the Premier League yet, even though we're only two games in.
“There are indications there that something could be bubbling there throughout the season," he said.
It is a change from last year where he was a regular in the team week in and week out.
“Last season he was in every single squad for Burley, he played and started 25 games.
Burnley's Jeff Hendrick during the pre-season friendly match at Vale Park, Stoke-on-Trent.Out of contract
“He was only an unused sub six times and he was one of Sean Dyche’s reliables.
“I think something has happened over the summer, there were rumours that maybe they might let him go. They would take a few bob for him now because he is out of contract next summer," Sneyd stated.
With negotiations on a new contract still ongoing, it seems to be affecting Hendrick's place in the squad and it could also affect his Ireland selection.
“There is always that little bit of brinkmanship at this point where a player comes into the last year of his contract.
“Maybe sometimes a manager has to reassert a bit of authority and let him know his place in the squad.
“It could be ideal maybe Hendrick might have needed a kick up the backside to force his way back into the team," he said
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