STEPHEN Ward believes he's 'ready to go' as he targets a first-team comeback for the Clarets.

The left-back returned to action for Burnley Under-23s on Monday, playing 72 minutes of their 3-0 defeat at Huddersfield in the Professional Development League.

It was Ward's first action since suffering a knee injury in the 1-0 win over Stoke City at Turf Moor on December 12 but the Republic of Ireland international came through the outing unscathed.

He will look to win his place back from Charlie Taylor and is keen to contribute over the final 13 games of the season as Burnley look to finish the campaign with a flourish.

“It felt really good. It’s just important to get back on the pitch and get used to playing,” Ward said.

“It’s nice to be feeling good and strong and to get a few minutes out there.

“It’s not really in my hands but I’m feeling good and ready to go. I’m feeling a lot sharper, so we’ll see what happens.

“We’ve had a great season and the more bodies we can have back now, hopefully that will help us have a strong finish.”

The presence of 32-year-old Ward couldn't stop Michael Duff's side from crashing to defeat at Town's Canalside training ground.

But Duff believes having someone like Ward in his side can only help the younger members of his squad.

“He looked comfortable. It’s good every now and again to get a first-team player in and out because the lads see how they prepare for games as well," the Under-23s coach said.

“They watch the way he goes about things in the dressing room. His pre-hab, the way he warms, the intensity he warms up.

“Wardy has got nearly 50 international caps and played in European Championships.

“That’s a bit of insight into the professionalism you need to have off the pitch and which you need to carry onto the pitch.

“And that’s the bit we didn’t have. It was all right when it was going all right.

“But when it didn’t. We didn’t really react positively.”