ROSS Wallace hopes Burnley can keep their class of 2011/12 together next season – but if not the winger has backed Eddie Howe to rebuild.

With top scorer Jay Rodriguez a target for a number of Premier League clubs the chances of the Clarets not losing any of their prized assets looks unlikely.

Wallace believes the club's current crop has shown the potential to mount a serious promotion challenge next season, so would prefer only to add to the squad.

But if the worst came to the worst, he believes Howe will make the right moves in the transfer market to replace any outgoings.

Burnley were disappointed to lose Tyrone Mears and Chris Eagles in the run-up to the start of last season, but the Clarets boss was able to find a more than adequate right back replacement in Kieran Trippier.

The 21-year-old was signed on loan from Manchester City initially, along with Ben Mee, but the moves for both defenders were made permanent in January, and Trippier went on to be crowned the supporters’ clubs and official club player of the year.

Eagles' departure meant more game time for Wallace this season, and the Scot admitted he has thrived on his first season under Howe.

“I've seen a lot of players come and go from the last couple of seasons.

“With a different manager coming in it's a younger, fresher squad compared to my first season when we had a bit more experienced side,” said the former Sunderland, Celtic and Preston North End wide man.

“This season has been more enjoyable for me.

“We've got a really good manager and I'm hoping there are good things to come.

“With the players he has brought in he has added energy.

“We've got a good, young team that will run all day for you. Ingsy (Danny Ings), who came in late on, and Tripps, these are the guys to watch for next season if we can keep hold of them.

“If we can add a few more next season and try to keep hold of some of the ones we've got this year I think we can push on.”

And Wallace says confidence for the future is backed up by good results against the top teams in the Championship, as Burnley took four points off play-off finalists West Ham - including three at Upton Park – beat Blackpool convincingly at home, and were unlucky away to champions Reading.

“There was more of a belief (last season) that we could potentially have done something,” said the Scot.

“I think we are a match for anybody. We have seen that against the top sides. We have played really well against them.

“It's the games at home against teams that are struggling that has held us back a bit.

“But we have played really well against the teams at the top and taken points off most of them this season.

“I think that's going to have a big bearing on what's going to happen next season.”