DWIGHT McNeil believes Burnley would be better equipped for European football should the opportunity present itself again.

The 11th-placed Clarets go into this afternoon’s home game with Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth just four points off seventh spot, while they are only two behind Wolves in eighth.

Manchester City are facing a two-year ban from Champions League football for breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

City are appealing, but if the ban is upheld then qualification for the Europa League would extend one place to eighth spot in the Premier League.

While McNeil says the possibility of another European adventure has been loosely mentioned in the dressing room, the winger insists it is not something they are overly dwelling on at this stage.

But having gone just three rounds in the 2018/19 competition and consequently endured a tough time on the domestic front, the 20-year-old insists they are better for the experience.

“It would be great to get European football again,” said McNeil, who feels they have unfinished business.

“There was a tiny bit (of regret at not reaching the group stages).

“We could tell with the way we started the season that it was new for everyone. We didn’t have that depth, it was a small squad. I think the lads adapted well to it and did well to stay up last year.

“I would definitely love to have the opportunity again if it ever came to it. I don’t think anybody would have any doubts about doing it again.

“I think we’d all be more prepared because we’ve had the experience.

“Last time it was new to us, but next time we’d be more prepared and more experienced.”

He added: “It was different playing-wise, there were so many games and travelling around Europe was a bit different for us all really. Azza (Aaron Lennon) was the only one that had had the experience really.

“If we got there again we could handle it more, especially in the league.

“The lads have had a bit of banter about it (Europe), but there hasn’t been too much. We’re just focusing on the league at the minute.”

While Burnley struggled to adapt to the travelling and volume of early season games, the Europa League proved to be the making of McNeil.

Having made his debut off the bench on the final game of the season, against this afternoon’s opponents, his first start came in the second leg against Olympiakos, and he hasn’t looked back - starring for club and then getting into the England fold with the Under 21s.

Turf Moor hosts Aidy Boothroyd’s side on Monday 30th March (7.45pm KO) when they take on Turkey in part of a qualifying double-header, with England first hosting Andorra at Stoke City’s stadium on Thursday 26th March (7.45pm KO).

“I’ll hopefully be involved and if I am my main aim is to play that game at the home of my club,” said McNeil.

“That would be a special moment for me.”