TONY Grant has revealed his despair at not being able to help guide Burnley to First Division safety.

The midfielder sustained a medial knee ligament tear in Saturday's game at Cardiff City, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Burnley still need at least another win from their final three games to secure their status, and Grant is gutted he will miss them.

He said: "I'm not happy because I've played most of the games all season and wanted to be out there playing for the last three.

"We need bodies and everyone to be playing together but you feel helpless when there's nothing you can do.

"I think performance-wise, overall we've had a good season, it's just disappointing not to be able to finish it off.

"I don't think the position we're in is the ideal situation for any player. I don't know if I'd revel in it because I'd rather us be safe so we can try to enjoy the football, but I'd love to get out there and have a right go."

The former Everton man also revealed he tried to play through the pain barrier in the 2-0 defeat at Cardiff.

However, he was on the end of a heavy challenge that aggravated a knee injury he sustained at Nottingham Forest last month.

Grant added: "I did the knee at Forest and thought it was serious but it held up until Saturday at Cardiff.

"I took a tackle and felt something rip in my leg.

"I tried to carry on because if you can get out there you have to get out there.

"If it means a few tweaks and hurting yourself a little bit you've got to do it.

"I'd love to be out there against Derby on Saturday because it's a big game, it's better then being stuck in the stands knowing you can help.

"But I knew it was serious. A small tear takes about four weeks and this is a little bit bigger so about five or six weeks minimum."

Grant is confident that, despite his absence and lingering injuries to Ian Moore and Neil Wood, Burnley will survive.

They took another step to safety with a 2-0 victory over Wimbledon on Tuesday night, and Grant declared: "There's enough in the squad to do it, especially if we get Moore and Woody fit.

"In the first half against Wimbledon they played well, and there are always going to be a bit of nerves.

"But I think there's enough to get a result against Derby on Saturday.

"It's been a tough season but if we can get through it and stay up we can re-group for next year."