MICHAEL Keane hopes Burnley’s mid-table position in the Premier League will help them recruit new players during January.

The Clarets have so far only added Joey Barton to their squad this month, with the 34-year-old returning to the club on a free transfer.

More arrivals are expected and Keane believes the fact Burnley are 12th in the Premier League, with an eight-point cushion on the bottom three, might help convince potential new arrivals to join him at Turf Moor.

MORE TOP STORIES:

“I’m sure that helps. Players won’t want to come to a team who are looking like they might get relegated so we’re in a healthy position,” said the former Manchester United youngster.

“Hopefully the manager will be looking to bring a few players in and help us along the way.”

Keane himself has been linked with a move away from the club and was the subject of a failed £15million bid from champions Leicester City in the summer.

Sean Dyche has insisted he is under no pressure to sell this month, and while Keane said the interest was flattering, he stated he is happy at Burnley.

“It’s nice to see. It wouldn’t happen if you weren’t playing well,” he said. “But I don’t let it affect me at all, it doesn’t affect me going into matchday or going into training every day. I just get on with my football.

“I’m really happy here at Burnley, but it is flattering to see.”

It was a memorable 2016 for Burnley and Keane, with the Championship title secured, in part thanks to two crucial late strikes from the defender against promotion rivals Brighton and Middlesbrough.

But the New Year could bring even more success if the Clarets can maintain their Premier League status, while the new training centre at Gawthorpe is now only weeks away from opening, and Keane can’t wait to get inside.

He added: “2016 was a brilliant year for Burnley, but 2017 could be even bigger if we stay in the Premier League and we have a brilliant new training facility, which we will be hopefully moving into February time.

“The club is moving on and, taking it step by step, getting bigger and bigger, so it’s a good time to be a Burnley fan.

“It’s exciting. The training ground now is nice and compact, it’s nice and cosy and has a great feel about it.

“But when you go over there and look at the size of it, you see how far the club has come in the last few years. You feel a sense of pride that you’ve been part of that.

“It will be brilliant once all the lads are in there. Everyone is looking forward to it and I’m sure it will give everyone a lift.”