WADE Elliott has declared himself ready for the run-in, after being restored to Burnley’s starting eleven.

The versatile winger – a Championship ever-present under former boss Brian Laws – has been in and out of the side since Eddie Howe took charge two months ago.

But after being recalled for the first time in nine league games, he is determined to make up for lost time.

“As frustrating as it is, and how disappointed I’ve been to be left out and how desperate I am to play, if I can take anything from and if I can come back better from being out of the team then that’s what I’ll try and do,” said the 32-year-old.

“I was disappointed to be dropped but you come out of it.

“We’ve got a squad of good players – there are about 18, 19, 20 who could easily step in and are all well capable of doing a job.

“That’s the beauty of having a squad full of internationals, and international players on the bench.”

Other than sitting out the play-off semi-final first leg against Reading in 2009, Elliott hadn’t missed a league game for the Clarets in over two years when he was dropped against Watford last month, and didn’t feature among the used substitutes.

It was unchartered territory, certainly in recent seasons, for the former Bournemouth wide man.

But he is aiming to use his omission to his advantage as the season promises to reach an exciting climax.

“As frustrating as it’s been, I try to take a positive angle from it and just think that I’ve played a lot of football in the last two or three years,” he said.

“If I’ve dipped below a standard I’ll take it on the chin, go away and try to get rest and recuperation and take things on board, and take advantage of having a break out of the team.

“If you can come back stronger and sharper for it and come back better that’s what I’ll try to do.”

And he knows he will have to work as hard as anyone to make an impression on manager Howe, despite the two being team-mates for three years at Bournemouth.

“I’ve obviously known him a long time and we got on very well when we were players,” said Elliott, who admits it took him a while to get accustomed to calling the new Burnley boss ‘gaffer’.

“The first couple of days I couldn’t help but call him Eddie, it was just habit.

“It was only when the lads threatened to fine me for it that I managed to get my head around it. As soon as I thought it might start costing me money I stopped!

“But it’s fine.

“I don’t think I’m the first person to deal with someone like that and I doubt I’ll be the last.

“It’s a manager-player relationship and I understand that and I understand the boundaries that come with it.

“It’s not a problem.

“Once you get your head around calling him gaffer, you understand as a player and a manager where the lines are.

“I’ve known him a long time; I know what he’s like as a player.

“I don’t expect anything from him and I fully understand there are no favours, there’s no old pals’ act. I wouldn’t expect it to be any different to be honest.”