JAMES Tarkowski admits ‘it’s all to play for’ this week as he looks to fill the void left by Michael Keane’s Turf Moor exit.

Keane’s £30million move to Everton has left a vacancy alongside Ben Mee at the heart of the Clarets defence, and it’s one that Tarkowski has his eyes on filling when Burnley face champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

The former Brentford man can further press his case for selection this week with Sean Dyche’s side facing European opposition at Turf Moor in Celta Vigo and Hannover.

Tarkowski is the favourite to start alongside Mee, but while Kevin Long and Tom Anderson have featured in pre-season Dyche is still on the hunt for reinforcements at the back following Keane’s departure.

“Keano has gone now so there’s a gap there for someone to fill in,” said Tarkowski.

“I have got to do all I can to try and make that my spot but there’s other lads fighting for that spot as well.

“So it’s all to play for going in to the first game of the season.”

Tarkowski has had to be patient for his chance at Burnley, having found himself stuck behind Keane and Ben Mee when those two combined to great effect at the back for the Clarets.

The 24-year-old started the last three Premier League games of last season with Keane out injured, but he has made only six league starts since his move from Brentford in January 2016.

“It was frustrating, but when I signed it was always about the long-term,” Tarkowski said.

“You sign a long contract when you come to a club like this so I would have liked to have played but it’s not as simple as that.

“There were two lads who were playing well since I joined here, but Mike has moved on now and rightly so, he’s been outstanding since I have been here.

“Hopefully, if I do everything right, I can get my chance.”

Tarkowski is hoping to follow in Keane’s footsteps after seeing the giant strides taken by the former Manchester United man since he swapped Old Trafford for Turf Moor.

Keane’s form for the Clarets saw him win two England caps last season as well as being voted players’ player of the year by his Burnley teammates.

“He’s a great lad and deserves everything that he’s got,” said Tarkowski.

“You saw the way he played for England and how well he did for us, he deserves everything he’s got.

“I will now look to strive for that and try and hit those sorts of heights.”

Tarkowski’s latest chance to press his claims for inclusion against Chelsea comes at Turf Moor tonight when Celta Vigo are the visitors.

“Back to Turf where we had a very successful time last season and two good tests for us going in to the season,” he said.

“I am sure they will play at a very high standard, Celta Vigo got to the Europa League semi-final last year and they will be a very good test.

“But we will look to get the minutes in and put in a good performance.”