WINGER Wade Elliott believes the Bournemouth connection can have a huge impact on Burnley's season.

Elliott, one of a trio of players who signed from the south coast club this summer, has targeted a return to the first team squad for next weekend's Roses clash with Leeds United after recovering from a badly sprained ankle.

And with former Cherries stars Garreth O'Connor and John Spicer both making massive contributions to the Clarets cause in his enforced absence, he aims to join them in keeping Burnley's fortunes on the up.

"Hopefully we've all bedded in okay," insisted Elliott, who played 90 minutes for the reserves this week after missing four games.

"Obviously the natural question is 'can they make the jump?' and hopefully we've all shown enough that we can be an asset to the club. It's still very early days, but we're all here for a while so hopefully we can have a big impact."

Elliott, who scored his first two goals for the club against Cardiff a month ago, has seen O'Connor grab his big change with real aplomb with five goals - and three in as many games including the winner last time out at Wolves.

He added: "It's been a terrific time for Garreth. I think the first goal against Coventry was massive for him and you could see it visibly lifted him.

"It was only a matter of time though and obviously I've seen him at close quarters over enough time to know that he'd do very well for us.

"John has also got his chance in the team and acquitted himself pretty well. He's up and down, he's busy and he gets himself involved, so I think we can all take it on from here and I can't wait to get back into the full swing of it again."

Burnley have now had time to reflect on a four match unbeaten run due to this weekend's international break.

And Elliott, 26, believes Steve Cotterill's side are now getting the results all their early season efforts have deserved.

"We never really felt our league position reflected our performances," he added. "One or two things went against us and heads could have dropped, but there's some really strong characters in the dressing room so I don't think there was ever a danger that would happen.

"The lads kept believing in the same things and plugging away, our luck turned a little bit, and now it is probably a more accurate picture of where we deserve to be."