JAMES Tarkowski believes Burnley's defensive unit is getting better by the game as they look to extend their fine record this season against Swansea City on Saturday.

The Clarets have kept five clean sheets in the last eight Premier League games and two in a row in 1-0 victories over Newcastle and Southampton that have cemented them in seventh place.

The back four of Matt Lowton, Tarkowski, Ben Mee and Stephen Ward have all played all but nine minutes of the league season together at the back and they haven't looked weakened following a change behind them, with Nick Pope coming in for the injured Tom Heaton.

That defensive unit was once again at its most stringent at St Mary's before the international break, holding Southampton at bay, and Tarkowski insists it's a group that are enjoying their football and enjoying playing with each other.

"It's doing well, you can sort of see it for yourself," the 24-year-old said.

"We've had a few clean sheets in there and we're all enjoying playing football. We're going out there, enjoying being on the pitch, and we're picking up some good results.

"The more we play together, the more we understand each other. It's working well so far, it's pleasing with the way that we're going and the points we're picking up and we're looking forward to the next game now."