MATT Lowton believes Burnley can challenge for a top half finish in the Premier League this season.

The Clarets are lying seventh in the table after eight games following Saturday's 1-1 draw with West Ham at Turf Moor, a result that extended their unbeaten run to six games.

They face what looks to be a daunting assignment at free scoring leaders Manchester City this weekend, but full-back Lowton said the Clarets' approach sees them target a win in every game, even if that is sometimes not realistic.

It's a mindset that has worked so far this season, and Burnley have already avoided defeat away from home at Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton, but the test at the Etihad on Saturday is likely to be the sternest yet, with Pep Guardiola's side having scored 29 goals in just eight games, and fresh from a 7-2 win over Stoke City on Saturday.

But Lowton insists Burnley begin every week with a focus on how they can win at the weekend, regardless of the opposition.

"Obviously you'd like to win every game. That may not be realistic but it's what you aim to do at the start of every week. We set out to win the game," the 28-year-old said.

"There's no reason why we can't push on throughout the season. The top half of the table is definitely a realistic aim for us. We've kind of cracked the away form and our home form last season was very good so as long as we get that going again and keep the away form there's no reason why we can't push on again."

Lowton's top half target is another sign of the increased belief within the Clarets ranks this season.

Burnley survived in the top flight for the first time in four decades last term and did so relatively comfortably, with that success giving the squad confidence that they can build on it this season.

And former Aston Villa man Lowton said it had no dawned on the Clarets that they do belong in the Premier League.

"We built it up over last season," he said of that belief within Dyche's squad.

"The away form was always mentioned last season. We ran teams close in games and we've used that to our advantage this season.

"We've realised now that we belong in this division, we've got a lot of international footballers that know the division and know the game. We've already shown this season, with how well we've started, so we need to keep that going."