HAVING his debut Premier League season wrecked by injury has made Chris McCann more determined to help Burnley get back there next season.

The young midfielder was fully expected to fulfil his top flight potential after the Clarets’ play-off final win, but spent most of the campaign on the sidelines after a double knee injury blow.

His comeback after four months out with cruciate and medial knee ligament damage was cruelly cut short by a cartilage problem 12 minutes into his first league game, at Bolton Wanderers, in January.

After undergoing surgery four weeks ago, when the cartilage failed to heal itself, McCann feared his season would be over.

But his rapid recovery means that outing at the Reebok Stadium might not be his last before the summer.

The 23-year-old has targeted next week’s final game of the season, at home to Spurs. as his second comeback game.

However, after coming through more than 45 minutes of Thursday night’s reserve game against Manchester United, manager Brian Laws might even consider him for this afternoon’s trip to Birmingham City (kick-off 12.45pm), in which the Clarets, although already relegated, will bid to finish higher than Hull City to receive an £800,000 bonus.

While McCann would welcome a recall, though, he is just satisfied to be fit ahead of schedule and look ahead to playing his part in another promotion campaign next term.

“I was delighted to get back on the pitch and play football,” he said.

“It’s just for my own peace of mind really to know that I’m fit, so I can go away in the summer knowing the knee is okay and look to strengthen it ready to come back for next season.

“That’s the main aim.

“It’s been a very frustrating year. I was looking forward to this season so much after working so hard to get into the Premier League and I’ve only played eight games.

“I’m happy to have played in them, but that’s disappointing.

"But I will bounce back, don’t worry.”

And McCann admitted two lengthy spells on the sidelines had made him more appreciative of a career in football.

“When you play the game for so long it becomes repetitive, but when you have a long spell out like I have it makes you want to play even more and it makes you realise what a good job you have and how lucky I am to be playing.

“I think it makes you more determined to come back and play better because I’ve missed being in all the action and seeing all the boys enjoying it.

“I’m just looking forward to getting back in and playing.

“And it makes me hungry to help get the club back up there.”

He added: “It was hard to sit back and watch the lads play every week. But having said that I’m only young so I’m sure I’ll have another crack at it. There’s always next season.

“I’d love to come on against Tottenham in the last game and play the last couple of minutes, or something like that.

“If not, not to worry. I’m just looking forward to gearing myself up for next season and helping Burnley push back into the Premier League.”