STEVEN Defour believes he can recapture his form of last season in the coming weeks after making his return from injury in the defeat at Manchester City.

The Burnley midfielder was back in a Premier League side for the first time since January when named in the starting XI for the 5-0 reverse at the Etihad Stadium.

The Belgian managed 79 minutes before being replaced and is in contention to start Sunday’s clash with Chelsea at Turf Moor.

And the 30-year-old is confident there is more to come, and that he can match the heights he hit in the first half of the 2017-18 campaign before injury struck.

Asked if he feels he can get back to his best Defour said: “I think so, physically I am good.

“It was a bit of a question mark because for the Under 23s it went well but to do the same thing at a Premier League level is different.

“It went well physically and I felt good and I will keep improving for next week.

“Physically I felt fine, of course I was a bit tired at the end but I feel I am getting really close for the next few weeks.”

Returning for a game away at the defending champions was a baptism of fire for Defour, but he was pleased to see Sean Dyche recall him to the starting XI, having featured in the Carabao Cup defeat to Burton Albion earlier this month.

“It has been a while,” he added. “You know it is going to be tough at Manchester City but you have to start at some point. I was fit to play and the gaffer put me in.

“Normally you have to adapt again to Premier League level because U23 football is not the same so I want to be ready for the games that really matter for Burnley.

“I am not saying City away that we will lose before we start but it is a bonus game.

“It was good to be out there and get some freedom even though it was tough.

“It is a balance to know that I might need some time to get to that Premier League level where I was last year and then say ‘Manchester City - no-one is expecting anything from us so get out there and do your thing and get that running in.’

“There was a lot of running and then when you get the ball just calm it down which I tried to do and then try to play at some point.

“Nobody is expecting anything so perhaps no-one is expecting me to do the things I did in the past.”

The Clarets face another tough test this weekend with unbeaten Chelsea the visitors to Turf Moor but Defour knows it is the away games against Leicester City and West Ham which follow that will be key to Burnley’s fortunes.

“Playing at home so is always a different game as clubs do not like coming to Turf Moor,” added the midfielder.