SCOTT Arfield is relishing a busy Christmas period for the Clarets as they look to maintain their stunning start to the Premier League campaign.

Tonight's Turf Moor clash with Stoke City is Burnley's second of seven league games in 23 days and victory over Mark Hughes' side would lift the Clarets into the top four.

The Arfield-inspired 1-0 win over Watford on Saturday took Burnley to 28 points already and they will be looking to get as close to that 40 point mark as possible during this busy run of fixtures.

Arfield is set to be involved in the festive run after coming in on Saturday for Robbie Brady, who has been ruled out for the season, and he said it's a stretch of games like this that make all so special.

"The gaffer has always kept our feet on the ground and the aim was always to get safe as soon as possible," the 29-year-old said.

"We’ve managed to get these points on the board so quickly, before the Christmas period, but this is when the games rack up and why you want to be a footballer.

"These are the games we look forward to the most because you want to play as many games as possible.

"We’ve put ourselves in a fantastic situation, and now it’s up to us to keep going."

Brady's torn patellar tendon will keep him sidelined until the summer but Arfield believes the strength of the Clarets squad has shone through again.

On Saturday Brady joined Tom Heaton, Ben Mee and Matt Lowton on the sidelines but their absences didn't stop Burnley collecting another three points.

"It was so unfortunate for Robbie because he’d hit a fantastic run of form and his ability is there for everyone to see," Arfield told Clarets Player.

"We are all devastated for him, but this is the strongest set of players since I’ve been at the club and the gaffer shows great faith.

"Nick Pope and Phil Bardsley have come in recently and today Kevin (Long) came in too and was brilliant, so you don’t feel any pressure here when you come in.

"We train at such an intensity that everybody feels ready as soon as you get the nod and that stands us in good stead going forwards as we look to make this a successful club.

"It was important to keep the momentum going and a good day for everybody. Obviously on a personal level, but also on a team level and we just want to keep things going."