WHEN the latest release of FIFA lands on the doormat next week Johann Berg Gudmundsson will have to settle for playing as himself in a Burnley shirt rather than in his national colours.

Iceland might be one of the football success stories of 2016, but they won’t be featuring on FIFA 17 after their football federation, KSI, and game developers failed to come to a deal over rights.

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KSI felt the offer of £11,500 wasn’t good enough considering their recent success, but EA Sports refused to go any higher, which led to a stalemate and Gudmundsson and his teammates who stunned England in Euro 2016 won’t be able to recreate that magical moment on their PlayStation and XBox consoles.

Gudmundsson can console himself with the fact he can play as himself with the Clarets, although it doesn’t sound like he’s losing too much sleep over Iceland’s lack of presence in the world’s biggest football computer games.

“People in Iceland aren’t happy about that, it’s a decision the federation took, it’s a pity but we’ll be there one day,” he said.

“I can play as myself with Burnley. They wanted us to be on it but it was some money issue I think, to be fair, I don’t really care.”

Gudmundsson’s relaxed attitude to a computer game is understandable, he has far more pressing issues on his plate at Turf Moor.

The former Charlton winger has featured in all of Burnley’s six games so far this season, including five in the Premier League in what is his first taste of England’s top flight.

Having suffered relegation from the Championship with the Addicks last season he is delighted to have his chance in the Premier League, and he’s noticed the jump in class which means you have to concentrate for every second of every game.

“That’s the quality in the Premier League, it’s a tough place, there are so many talented players, and you can’t switch off for a minute,” said the 25-year-old.

“It’s one moment in a game, you can lose or draw like against Swansea or Hull. You have more talent, better players, with one mistake they will find you out, score a goal, make an assist.

“It’s just better players and you have to concentrate.

“I knew there was such high quality, but to me it’s just fantastic to be in this league and I want to make the most of it.”

The Clarets return to Turf Moor tonight having suffered a second successive 3-0 defeat on the road last weekend at champions Leicester City.

After that game Sean Dyche said he wanted his team to find that extra level of belief to play with more freedom.

Gudmundsson is confident that will develop in their game as the season progresses, certainly away from home.

But he believes Burnley are a different animal in front of their own fans, having already beaten Liverpool at Turf Moor this season.

They will hope to prove that tonight against an in-form Watford side, and their task will be made harder by the absence of Andre Gray, who will serve the first of a four-game ban having been found guilty of offensive social media posts.

“In some parts of the game we should have more freedom in our play, but the season is young, that will come,” said Gudmundsson.

“It’s been more in the away games to be fair, at home we’ve played quite well and with a lot of freedom, it’s about fixing it away and getting that.”