ASHLEY Barnes has labelled Saturday’s trip to Sunderland a ‘massive game’ and has called on the Clarets to win ugly if that is what it takes.

Barnes believes the trip to the north east could be even tougher than Sunday’s visit to Anfield given what is on the line for both sides.

The 27-year-old gave Burnley the lead on Merseyside only for the Reds to turn the game around and inflict another away defeat on the Clarets.

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Sean Dyche’s side end a run of four consecutive away games on Saturday but, having only taken one point from the three they have played so far, the gap to the bottom three has been cut to seven points. The Black Cats are still propping up the table with time running out for them to produce an escape act.

“It could be tougher than Liverpool,” said Barnes. “Sunderland are fighting for their lives and so are we, so it’s going to be a massive game. It will be a completely different game (to Liverpool), sometimes you have to win ugly and we need to make sure we come away with the points.

“Everyone is closing in with the points tally now but we need to concentrate on ourselves and take it one game at a time.”

Burnley will head to the Stadium of Light having beaten Sunderland twice at Turf Moor already this season, while they drew in the FA Cup third round at the Stadium of Light.

Barnes was on the scoresheet when the Clarets ran out 4-1 winners in the Premier League on New Year’s Eve, but he doesn’t think the strong head-to-head record will count for anything come 3pm on Saturday.

“What happened at our place, it’s not going to be that easy, so we’ve got to be switched on,” he said.

“I don’t think it will (count for anything). We’re on an equal footing next week and we need to make sure we come away with the three points.”

Burnley only have draws at Manchester United and Hull City to show for their away league trips this season.

Barnes admits that first win on the road will be a relief but he is focusing on continuing to pick up points where possible to stay clear of relegation trouble.

“It’s going to be a nice relief and for the fans, but we just need to keep picking up as many points as possible to stay in this division,” he said.

“We go into every away game wanting to win and we went into Liverpool wanting to win, but it just didn’t happen with them scoring on half-time and then a long range effort.

“It’s the rub of the green. The luck will change for us if we keep performing against the top sides like we have done.

“We know in the changing room what we’ve got and it’s more than enough (to stay up) and with the additions we’ve brought in it’s fantastic.”