WAYNE Thomas is desperate to make up for lost time after serious injuries ruined his first season with the Clarets.

Defender Thomas was on the sidelines for most of Burnley's 2004/05 Championship campaign.

He was first out for almost three months after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament.

Then against his former club Stoke on March 18, Thomas broke his metatarsal, an injury that ruled him out for the season's remainder.

Thomas underwent rehabilitation alonside goalkeeper Danny Coyne, who likewise missed the majority of Burnley's campaign after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury.

The 27-year-old, who joined last summer from the Potters, is now eager to resume his role at centre-half when Burnley kick-start their league season against QPR on August 5.

"It's been nice to start the season injury-free and hopefully I'll maintain that," said Thomas.

"It's been a nightmare because I've not had many injuries through my career.

"It's terrible when you go from not being injured to having two serious injuries that knock you out for the whole season.

"But, if you can take something out of having a bad injury, at least me and Danny were injured together and you can help each other through it."

Burnley boast strong competition in central defence, with Thomas competing for places alongside John McGreal, Steve Foster, Michael Duff and captain Frank Sinclair.

But Thomas is hoping to force his way into the team and prove a rock from which the Clarets can lay solid foundations.

Thomas added: "I just want to go out there and play, and hopefully show people the best side of my game.

"In a way, I suppose I'm still a new player in the team and this season I've got to try and work my way into the side and show what I can do.

"The gaffer's got a lot of strength in depth, especially in the back line at the moment.

"No-one can really be complacent about getting a shirt and keeping hold of it, but hopefully I can force my way into the team and maintain that.

"But you can watch throughout pre-season - we've been keeping clean sheets, but, although that means nothing now, hopefully that will stand us in good stead for the season."