Jack Cork says Premier League safety will always be the aim for Burnley – but believes their current position is a nice one to be in with three games left.

Burnley moved to 40 points, and the verge of safety, with an excellent 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Monday.

They welcome Manchester City to Turf Moor on Sunday by which time their safety could well be secured.

Despite the Clarets finishing seventh last season, midfielder Cork says the ambition for this season was to ensure a fourth season of top flight football at Turf Moor.

Casting an eye to next season’s aims, Cork said: “To stay in the Premier League again. We said that even when we qualified for Europe. It’s always just to try and stay in the Premier League, that is always the main aim.

“If the goal difference stays as it is then yes, it’ll be great to stay in the Premier League with the money that’s spent and the way it’s evolving. It’s a great achievement every time we do it.

“Nine points clear with a big goal difference, it’s a good position to be in with three games to go.

“If we looked at it in December time, it would have been unbelievable to be in the position we are in now.

“Fair play to everyone who’s worked hard to get this for us.”

After a Boxing Day thumping at home to Everton, the Clarets responded with a nine game unbeaten run to boost their hopes of survival.

Four straight defeats before the international break left them deep in relegation trouble however, with a tough run of games to close out the season.

But Sean Dyche’s side stood up when it mattered most, and 10 points from the last 12 available has given them plenty of breathing space going in to the final weeks of the season.

They are within three points of West Ham in 11th and three points clear of closest rivals Southampton after their 1-1 draw with Watford on Tuesday.

“It’s strange because if you’re looking up the table a little bit and then you’re not far off the Bournemouth’s and the Watford’s,” Cork said of the table.

“I think in the bottom half has had a real good go at it since January. It’s been a tough three or four months for everyone.”

Things don’t get any easier for Burnley who welcome league leaders Manchester City on Sunday (2.05pm), before a trip to Everton next Friday and then the visit of Arsenal on the final day.

So can the Clarets pull off an upset against Pep Guardiola’s side?

“It would be nice, wouldn’t it?” said the 29-year-old.

“With the last three games we have, if we got some results, especially against Man City - it would be awesome.”