BELGIUM midfielder Steven Defour is targeting a ‘very good season’ with Burnley to ensure he books his place on the plane for next summer’s World Cup in Russia.

Defour has been rejuvenated at Turf Moor so far this campaign, starting all 11 Premier League games for the Clarets and impressing in central midfield after putting his difficult first season in East Lancashire behind him.

That early season form for Sean Dyche’s side has seen Defour become a regular fixture in Belgium squads again under Roberto Martinez and the 29-year-old will seek to add to his 51 caps in friendlies with Mexico tonight (7.45pm) and Japan on Tuesday.

Competition for places in the Belgium squad is fierce and Defour knows he has to be on top of his game for Burnley to stand a chance of making Martinez’s 23-man squad next summer.

“There’s so much competition, especially in midfield, so I have to play a very good season at Burnley and then see what happens,” the former Standard Liege midfielder said.

“My biggest aspiration is to perform and perform well for Burnley and then anything can happen.”

Belgium’s squad for their two friendlies this week contains 14 Premier League players and Defour believes that familiarity is a positive looking ahead of the World Cup.

“Of course, we are playing in the best league,” he said. “We are also playing a lot of games, which could get a little bit more complicated at the end of the season.”

Belgium were beaten quarter-finalists in Euro 2016 and Defour admits that exit in France at the hands of Wales was a disappointment.

But they bounced back and breezed through World Cup qualifying, heading to Russia with a golden generation that is tipped to shine, with bookmakers making them sixth favourites to lift the title.

“Qualifying for us was normal. We want to aim high and then Euros for us was a big disappointment. We want to do better at the World Cup,” Defour added.

This season has proved to be a renaissance for the midfielder who appeared to be on his way out of Turf Moor last summer having failed to complete 90 minutes in 16 top flight starts.

Defour has already completed a full game on five occasions this season and has lasted at least 75 minutes in every league outing.

And he’s relishing his second chance in the Premier League.

“It is the biggest league in the world and you have to be at your best every week otherwise you will get punished. Because anyone can beat anyone and that’s what makes it the best league,” he added.

“In Spain you have Real Madrid and Barcelona winning basically every game, and there is only those two games where they play against each other to make the difference.

“Maybe they will lose the odd points away from home, but here there are so many clubs that can win the title this year.

“And it is like that ever year, where they battle to win the league. And the best coaches come here to try to win the title.”