MATT Lowton believes the rest of the Premier League are taking Burnley seriously after their bright start to the season.

The Clarets head into this weekend's game with Huddersfield in seventh and are unbeaten in away trips at Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool so far.

"I think you have to take us seriously with the results we have picked up already," he said.

"It took us a long time last season to get the away win. We have got that straight of our backs earlier season.

"But to be undefeated at Stamford Bridge, Wembley and Anfield is massive. It shows how far we have come."

The Clarets have hit the ground running despite new additions to the squad this season and Lowton believes the welcoming nature of the Turf Moor dressing room has helped those new recruits settle in.

"It’s the easiest group I have ever had to start again with," the former Aston Villa man said.

"When you first sign, everyone gets on together as a collective and there are no cliques here and there. It’s just one squad in with the same ambitions and same outcomes.

"Lads who aren’t playing are behind the lads who are. Training is always competitive. We certainly have a lot of depth this season."

Lowton is facing competition from Phil Bardsley for his right-back slot, with the experienced defender one of the star performers in the Clarets' Carabao Cup exit to Leeds on Tuesday night.

Burnley were the better side against the Championship leaders but the tie went to penalties after a 2-2 draw, with James Tarkowski missing the decisive spot kick.

But Lowton has backed Tarkowski to bounce back from his miss from 12 yards.

“He was down in the dressing room and felt as though he had let the lads down," he said.

“But people got around him and said he had shown the courage to step up and take a penalty.

“Since the start of the season he has been fantastic and the lads just tried to tell him how good he’s been.

“He had the courage to take one. He’s not tried anything silly. He’s just unfortunate that the keeper has guessed the right way and saved it.

“But he’s been all right (on Thursday) and I think he will be fine."