TOM Heaton believes a pre-international break point has inspired confidence in the Clarets camp.

Burnley got off the mark on their Premier League return with the goalless draw at home to Manchester United. After back-to-back defeats to Chelsea and Swansea, the goalkeeper believes a first clean sheet came as a timely tonic.

And goalkeeper Heaton feels it has given them a platform to build on over the fortnight as they look ahead to league action resuming at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

“Obviously we’re delighted to get the first point on the board and a clean sheet to boot against one of the top sides.

“It’s a fantastic feeling. Hopefully we can kick on from that now, add to the belief in the squad and build on from there,” said the former United stopper, who got the tough game he was anticipating against his old club following the signing of Angel di Maria, which set a new British transfer record.

“Even though it’s been said they’re on a bit of a sticky patch, with the quality they’ve got in the side it’s always going to be a tough game.

“It was in spells but we hung in there, played some good stuff ourselves and were unlucky with a few chances.”

Heaton admitted Burnley have required a period of adjustment while they get used to a higher level of football.

But he believes they have learnt to adapt quickly.

"It takes a bit of time to sort of get your head around it. We've had Manchester United and Chelsea in the first two home games, and Swansea away was also a tough game.

"It does take a bit of finding your feet but we're there or thereabouts now and we can keep progressing,” he said.

"Knowing that we’ve got our first points on the board just settles everyone down. It releases perhaps a bit of pressure so that we can keep moving forward.

“And doing it before the international break is probably a big benefit.

"We've had a great result. We can settle down a little bit and move forward rather than have the worry that we haven't got anything on the board or it's not quite gone our way so far.

"Obviously we're delighted and we work from here.

“There’s a lot to build on and take into the next games.”