Burnley defender Ben Mee has talked up the importance of Dean Marney to the team’s success so far this season.

Midfielder Marney is one of four Burnley players to have started all 13 Premier League matches so far this season, and he scored his first goal since March 2014 during the Clarets 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.

The 32-year-old had to be substituted during the match with the Citizens due to a nerve problem, and he is now a doubt for Saturday’s away clash with Stoke.

Central defender Mee believes it will be a huge blow to the side if Marney is not fit for the trip to the Bet365 Stadium, as he believes the former England under-21 international has been influential for Sean Dyche’s side so far this season.

“He’s been brilliant,” Mee said. “It’s a shame he came off with an injury. He does a job that nobody really notices. It’s important for us he carries on doing that job.”

Burnley will head into Saturday’s clash with the worst away record in the Premier League, picking up just one point and scoring only one goal in their five away games to date.

Mee concedes the Lancashire side’s form on the road has not been good enough but remains hopeful that it will improve sooner rather than later.

“We need to sort that out and play better away from home, we know that,” he added. “We’ll look at that and we will improve. We’ve got an honest bunch of lads who will work hard to do that.”

Dyche’s men are priced at 5.50 to secure their first away win of the campaign on Saturday, while Stoke are available at 1.67 and the draw is on offer at 3.80.