KEVIN Long insists there is more progress to come at Burnley after the club's longest serving player extended his stay further.

The centre back, who joined the club from Cork City in January 2010, has signed a new three-year deal, taking him to the summer of 2021.

That replaces the three-year contract he signed in August 2017 and is reward for his most productive season so far in a Burnley shirt, starting 16 Premier League appearances last term, while he made three appearances in the Europa League run this season.

Long revealed he had been discussions over a new contract since the end of last season and was pleased to get the deal done, having helped the Clarets to a seventh place finish in 2017/18.

"Talks started at the end of last season and moved on from there,” the 28-year-old said.

"I came back in the summer to go again and I still really enjoy being here and I’m delighted that it will be for another three years.

"Ever since I’ve been here the club has gone from strength-to-strength. It’s progressed massively, and I think it will continue to do, as long as we keep making sure the performances on the pitch are moving forward."

Long played just under half the Premier League games last season with Ben Mee and James Tarkowski both suffering injury-hit campaigns at various times.

That has taken Long to 42 league appearances for the Clarets since he arrived from Ireland and 55 appearances for the club in all competitions.

"“Last season I played quite a few games in the Premier League, which is the highest level and where you want to be," he added.

“I’m not in the team at the moment with Tarky and Ben doing well and so I’ve got to bide my time again.

“You have to wait for a chance and then try and take it when it comes, which I think I did last season.

“I want to be playing games and I’m not happy when I’m not in the team.

“My main aim is to get in the starting line-up. But you can only pick 11 and I have to be patient and keep working hard.

“And when the chance comes, I like to think I help the team and I want that to continue.”