WHEN he was at Swansea City Jack Cork would listen to some of his teammates’ tales of magical European nights against the likes of Napoli and Valencia in awe.

Cork had joined the Swans a couple of seasons too late to be part of their European adventure, which ended in the first knockout round at the hands of Napoli.

The 28-year-old probably thought his chance of playing European football had gone, but a win for Burnley against Brighton this weekend could turn that dream into reality next season.

The Clarets stand on the brink of securing a place in the Europa League and Cork admits playing in that competition will be a career highlight for most of Sean Dyche’s Turf Moor squad.

“I think it would be the highlight (of my career) and I think it would for a lot of other people at the club as well,” he said.

“There have been a lot of good years at Burnley recently and I’m sure the fans are enjoying it.

“I would love to play in it because I’ve never done a European competition before.

“I would love to do that and I know all the other lads would love to have a good crack at it.

We’d all like a good run and I’m sure the fans and everyone involved with the club would as well.”

Swansea got through two qualifying rounds in 2013/14 and then finished behind Valencia in their group before going out to Napoli.

“They spoke about the away trips and how hard it was but they’re always talking about how good the nights were,” Cork said.

“They had Valencia, Napoli, they had those big away trips. They are massive moments in players’ careers and fans’ journeys with the football club.

“It can be difficult with some of the trips but it’s worth it when you get the likes of Valencia. It’s a great thing to be doing.

“I would love to have a good run in Europe. You always want a good run in the cup, whichever one it is, but to have one in Europe would be extra special for everyone at the club.”

A seventh place finish for Burnley would mean entry in the second qualifying round on July 26, leaving the Clarets three rounds to progress before entering the group stages.

But midfielder Cork is looking forward to the possibility of testing himself against some of Europe’s best.

“It’s a great opportunity to do something that we all would love to do,” he added.

“As you grow you want to play in these competitions and prove yourself against some of the best teams in Europe.

“It’s something that we really want to do, we’d love to have that opportunity and we’re really looking forward to it.”

Only eight permanent members of this Burnley squad have played in a European club competition before: Anders Lindegaard, Phil Bardsley, Steven Defour, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Robbie Brady, Aaron Lennon, Jon Walters and Chris Wood.

Therefore Europe would be a new frontier for most of Dyche’s squad and Cork believes that speaks volumes for the manager and how he has moulded a competitive squad at Turf Moor.

“It’s a lot of players that haven’t done it before, for him to get them all together and with the spirit we’ve got and playing how we are, it shows what a good job he’s done as a manager and what he’s done the last few years,” he said.

“The board have trusted him to grow a team and a strong team for this league.”