SEAN Dyche insists Burnley remain on track for a Premier League promotion push this season as they go in search of ending a four-game winless streak at Queens Park Rangers tomorrow.

Defeat to Preston last weekend followed three successive draws for the Clarets and leaves them five points behind Middlesbrough in second and seven points off leaders Brighton.

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Fifth placed Burnley face a tricky challenge at Loftus Road as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink prepares to take his first game in charge of the Hoops.

But Clarets chief Dyche said he is happy with his side’s start, with the Clarets having tasted defeat just three times in the league.

“We’ve lost one game in 10 and three in 19,” Dyche stressed.

“They’re reference points of what has gone on in the past, we’re more interested in what goes on in the future.

“We’ve made a real solid start. We’re at game 19 and we’re in a good position. I think we’re under the radar but we’re going along well.

“The only frustration of last week was not taking chances.”

Burnley’s recent dip in form mirrors an almost identical run at this time of the season two years ago, a campaign which ended in promotion to the Premier League by Easter Monday.

On that occasion they went five games without a league win from November 2 to December 7, including four draws.

That was part of a run that saw them take just 21 points from 15 games between November and February, only the 13th best record in the division during those three months.

And the experience of that season, which ended in a return to the top flight, suggests Burnley are still well placed this term, despite last week’s derby disappointment.

“There’s absolutely no panic,” Dyche said.

“Our fans know a couple of years ago around a similar time we had a very similar run.”

Indeed Burnley head to Loftus Road having lost just eight of their last 65 games at this level.

They have also lost just one of their last 21 away games in the Championship, a record they will be desperate to protect over the next few days at QPR and then Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.

While Dyche is focused on the future that strong record at Championship level suggests the Clarets remain one of the most competitive teams in the division.

“It’s an historical marker, but you can’t rely on that,” said the Burnley boss. “It shows that me, my staff and the group know what it’s about.

“But the next game is the most important one. Whatever happens with that we move on to the next one.

“We’re very strong statistically but we have to work hard for the next game.”