The 'Clarets' have been missing their No. 1 shotstopper since he injured his shoulder in September but after playing in a training ground game against Blackpool last week, it appears Heaton will be back in the first-team fold soon.
This sentiment was shared by Dyche in his pre-match press conference and the manager will now have a tricky choice between the recovering Heaton and deputy Nick Pope, who has been impressive in the former's absence.
Speaking to reporters the Burnley boss said: "Tom [Heaton] will let us know when he is ready. He is certainly training very well, he played very well the other day, and he took care of the simple stuff. Keepers who do that are usually good keepers and he does that very well".
"He has trained well over the last period and is certainly coming back towards the thinking, but I still think he will let us know when he is fully ready and he knows the form of Popey as well.
"He knows he has got to deal with that as well but, first things first, he has to make sure he is absolutely 100 per cent fit and he is very, very close."
It seems Saturday's match against Everton may come around too soon for Heaton, but 'Claret' fans could certainly see him back between the sticks when Burnley take on West Ham a week later.