SEAN Dyche doesn't believe Joe Hart is heading back to the Etihad Stadium with a point to prove this weekend.

The Clarets goalkeeper will make his first visit back to Manchester City since ending a 12-year association with the club in the summer by moving to Turf Moor for £4million.

Hart won two Premier League titles, two League Cups and an FA Cup while with City, but spent the final two years out on loan - at Torino and West Ham - after been ostracised following the arrival of Pep Guardiola.

But Dyche doesn't believe the 75-cap England international will be affected by a return to his former home.

"He's very experienced now Joe, he's played in enough big games of different sorts," said Dyche.

"Obviously it's a different kind of emotion, a club you've got a big history with and a recent history, but I think he'll just want to get on with it and not overthink it.

"I didn't bring him to prove a point to anyone. In my opinion he's another top class goalkeeper that we've got here. Another one.

"I don't want to speak for him but I don't see why he's got any point to prove - other than to himself. To continue to show what a top class keeper he is."

Hart was handed a fresh start by Dyche this summer. The 31-year-old was desperate to leave City on a permanent basis after two difficult loan spells and injuries to Nick Pope and Tom Heaton presented Burnley as a possible destination.

He arrived with his reputation on the slide, especially after a suspect year at West Ham, but Dyche saw the bigger picture.

"From a manager's point of view there's different reasons, sometimes you just fit at a club - maybe he didn't at those clubs," the Clarets chief said.

"I wasn't interested in that. I spoke to him about him getting back to being a top class goalie, how we could aid that, what he could do for us.

"How I thought he'd enjoy what we are and what we do. He's professional enough to make sense of his recent history.

"My thoughts are more about the future. What can he bring to affect us.

"To get him to the level he's been at before, a lot of that is down to him. He works with a really good keeper coach here.

"Particularly as a goalie, sometimes what's in front of you helps. You want a keeper who can look after you and he wants a back four who he can grow with.

"At the moment, there's a nice connection, possibly at other clubs he didn't find that. But what I do know is he's still a top class keeper. A lot of credit to him for finding his way again. We can only guide people."