Former Newcastle United coach investigated by Premier League rivals

The former Nottingham Forest midfielder was apart of the Magpies’ backroom staff between 2010 and 2015 before departing alongside John Carver.

Stone joined the Clarets as under-23s manager last year, however has been absent from the previous three matches. It is alleged a bullying complaint has been lodged against Stone.

Dyche addressed Stone’s absent in his pre-match Sheffield United press conference after rumours began to mount.

He said: “It’s an agreed break while it’s checked over. We look into everything asked of us, but not many things remain private, which is a bit unfair.”

The 48-year-old teamed up with Peter Beardsley as assistant manager to the reserve team in 2010 before Alan Pardew promoted him the first-team set-up.

Beardsley was suspended from football for eight months in September.