JACK Cork admitted he could never have dreamt his first season back at Turf Moor would go as well as it has.

The midfielder is Burnley’s only ever present in the Premier League and his performances have been key in the Clarets’ seventh place finish and qualification for Europe.

While he was disappointed not to end the campaign with a win against Bournemouth, Cork is delighted with how the season has gone.

Chris Wood had fired Burnley ahead against the Cherries, but two mistakes allowed Josh King and Callum Wilson to turn the game on its head in the second half.

“It’s been a really good season, it’s a shame about the last couple of games,” Cork said.

“We felt in control of the game, especially in the second half, but we maybe got a bit too confident and let them get two chances from two mistakes we don’t normally make.

“It’s been a great season and a really enjoyable one.”

Cork moved to Turf Moor from Swansea City last summer for £8million and it has proved to be a wise switch.

While the Swans have been relegated this season Cork has helped lead Burnley to Europe and the 28-year-old has relished being a part of the Clarets squad this season.

“I never thought that this would be happening, I don’t think a lot of people would have done,” he said.

“Ever since a good start we’ve kept going and going and we’ve showed we’re a good team and we’re competitive in this league and it’s been great to be part of.”

Cork believes the Clarets may have allowed complacency to creep into their game in the last two weeks, having followed the 5-0 defeat to Arsenal with this loss to Bournemouth.

But asked for the key to success this season, he said: “Just the hard work, the mentality and trusting in what we can do together. We’ve got confidence we can get results anywhere and we’ve done that.

“Maybe the last couple of games we’ve got complacent and if you make mistakes in this league you’re going to get punished, you saw that on Sunday.”

Like many of the squad Cork has never played in Europe before, joining Swansea a couple of seasons after their own Europa League adventure.

He felt the chance to play European football may have got away from him, but the former Chelsea and Southampton man is now looking forward to the challenge.

“I can’t wait, it’s something I’ve always wanted but I’ve never had the chance and I didn’t think I was going to,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to it and I’m sure a lot of the lads are as well.

“Everyone is looking forward to it, it’s a real challenge for us and we want to test ourselves against some of the best teams in Europe.”

The European adventure will begin on July 26 in the second qualifying round, but Cork hasn’t yet looked at potential opponents.

“I have to be honest, I’m hoping it’s somewhere nice and we can get through the qualifying rounds,” he said.

Burnley will need to win three ties to make the group stage, with the possibility of playing six fixtures on successive Thursdays in July and August in the qualifying rounds.

But Cork has his eyes on the group stage and the possibility of some glamour names at Turf Moor.

“That would be ideal, that’s what everyone will be looking forward to, to get to the group stage and get some big teams,” he said.

“But we’ve got the qualifying rounds first, they’re going to be harder than people think.”