SAM Vokes insists Burnley will be raring to go when they return to Premier League action this weekend, after taking confidence from their last-gasp defeat to Arsenal before the international break.

Like many of his teammates Vokes departed for international duty on the back of that reverse to the Gunners, with Laurent Koscielny bundling the ball over the line with his hand in the dying seconds.

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But despite the defeat Vokes believes the Clarets’ performance gives them promise as they prepare to travel to the south coast on Sunday to face Southampton, the city where Vokes was born and the club his dad supported.

“I thought the boys were terrific in the way that we defended, the way we went about the game was different class and it stands us in good stead,” Vokes said of the Arsenal performance.

“It’s gutting and it hurts a lot, especially when you dig in like that for 90-plus minutes. Against a strong Arsenal side we knew we would be up against it but I thought the lads were terrific, they put their bodies on the line but it wasn’t to be.”

Vokes started the win over Watford and the defeat to Arsenal as a lone striker, a role he reprised for Wales in their World Cup qualifying draws with Austria or Georgia.

He is likely to spearhead the 4-2-3-1 formation once again at St Mary’s in the absence of the banned Andre Gray, and Vokes can see plenty of positives from the performances in the games since the switch from two up top.

“We were great all over the pitch,” he said of the Arsenal display.

“Every one of us knew our jobs against a good, organised side like Arsenal who possess plenty of class and quality. We’ll come back fresh from the international break and go again.

“Against Watford I thought we were terrific as well. It was a great performance and we got the three points which were needed. Against Arsenal the point was there for us and with the way we worked I thought we were good enough to deserve it. It wasn’t to be but with that performance we’ll take a lot of confidence.

“Going forward we looked strong and we didn’t just sit in. We gave a good account of ourselves and against other sides I’m sure we’ll get some points.”

As well as the usual cohort of Clarets on international duty, Michael Keane went away with England for the first time and Vokes has been impressed with his performances at the heart of the Burnley defence.

“I think he and Ben Mee have been very strong for us at centre half. He’s put in some good performances for us,” he said.

“At this level we’re going to come across some good attacking teams as we have done in the last couple of games. We obviously conceded one right at the end (against Arsenal) but I think they’ve been solid at the back.”