Clarets full-back Dean West is hoping he and Burnley have saved the best until last.

West made his first start of the season in Friday night's 3-0 win over Preston at Turf Moor and seized the opportunity with an impressive performance.

He looks set to continue in the back four at Wimbledon tonight and has set his sights on a big finish all-round.

"You have to take your opportunity when it comes and I hope I did enough to earn a place in the team against Wimbledon.

"I was quite pleased with my performance on Friday and hopefully I have done enough for the gaffer choose me in his squad for the second successive match," he said.

Burnley and the Dons are locked together in tenth and 11th place and whoever wins at Selhurst Park could be in striking distance of the play-off zone.

And West insists that the Clarets are ready to take up that challenge.

"This match will test our character and ability," he added.

"They are full of confidence at the moment and have had some cracking results over the past few weeks. It will be tough but like we showed on Friday we are capable of beating most sides in this division.

"They always say that one team comes with a late run and they will fancy themselves but that team could be us."

Burnley have won five of their last nine games to keep their season alive and West believes that in itself is a decent achievement for a side promoted last May.

He said: "The team have done very well this season. We started the season off in fine style and to be involved in the final month is testament to the players and the management team.

"I believe if you had asked any supporter at the start that we would be still involved at this stage they wouldn't have believed you."