BURNLEY have shown the rest of the Premier League that success can be achieved without buckets of cash, according to goalkeeper Nick Pope.

The Clarets are set for a top-seven finish this term despite posting a positive net spend in the transfer market and recording a £22million profit for the 2016/17 season.

Instead the success has been built on shrewd recruitment, improving players on the training ground, a tight-knit squad all battling for places and a strong work ethic.

After Saturday's goalless draw with Brighton Burnley's Europa League spot for next season is confirmed barring a six point and 15 goal swing to Everton over the final two games, and while Leicester City's title win of 2015/16 is the Premier League's ultimate miracle, Pope believes the Clarets are running them a close second.

"It’s not far short. Budgets being what they are in football means it is very tough to break into the top six," he said.

"To even finish in top half with one like ours is hard. To be where we are, with money playing such a massive part, shows that you can achieve success without loads of it."

It's been a season to remember for everyone at Turf Moor, but none more so than Pope, who began the campaign playing second fiddle to Tom Heaton and without a top flight appearance to his name.

But he took his chance when Heaton suffered a dislocated shoulder in September and now Pope is established as Burnley's number one and was part of Gareth Southgate's most recent England squad.

He remains an outsider for a World Cup spot, but the 26-year-old could yet force his way onto the plane and with the Clarets' Europa League campaign set to start on July 26 it could be a busy summer.

“I’m not worried about that – fingers crossed it happens, and it is looking likely now with the Europa League," Pope said.

"It will mean we start earlier but we will still have time to prepare and we will be ready. I’ll never have been happier to be in again – let’s be honest, it’s a great reason to be in. It’s the next level, it’s what you strive for."

The battle for the gloves has shown the value of competition in this Burnley squad and while a European campaign might see a few more new bodies arrive in the summer but Pope insists it's a challenge the Clarets are ready to embrace.

“We have two players in every position all over the pitch. That shows in training and helps on a Saturday," he said.

"We’re all pulling in the same direction, we’ve got some great characters and that can’t be underestimated. Having that quality lets us push on even more.

“If we get there (Europe) we may add a few more bodies but it’s a challenge we want to take on. We won’t look on it negatively like some teams in past have looked at it."

Pope is likely to head into next season as first choice at Turf Moor and on the fringes of the England squad, but he won't treat pre-season any differently.

“It will be like every season – I will try and prove myself in off season, try to come back sharp and you have to be at this club," he said.

"You have to have a strong attitude, plus lots of skill and ability as well. I’ve had one season where I have played the bulk of the games and want to replicate it and improve on it."