Clarets captain Chris McCann is bidding to lead Burnley to an FA Cup scalp this afternoon, against Premier League new boys Norwich City.

The midfielder formed part of the squad that combined Carling Cup coups, against Fulham, Chelsea and Arsenal, with league success in the 2008/09 season.

Now, after winning two of their three festive fixtures, he is hoping to match their Championship form with progress in the oldest domestic cup competition in the world.

“With the Carling Cup run we went on before, we were on a good run in the league at the time,” said McCann.

“The gaffer, being a winner, will want to go into this game all guns blazing.

“I think that’s the right thing to do - to try to win every game you can – and I don’t think it will be any different today.

“It’s not going to be an easy game at Norwich but if we can get through it hopefully there’s another big tie waiting for us.”

Burnley are still smarting from suffering a late defeat to Leeds after taking the lead with 10 men following Kieran Trippier’s dismissal for a second yellow card offence.

But, after hovering just above the drop zone in November, they have been a team on the up since staging a dramatic comeback to beat Hull six weeks ago, and are hoping to transfer momentum to the cup and take advantage of Norwich’s poor form in the competition.

Burnley threw away a two-goal lead on their last trip to Carrow Road last season, denying them a first league win on their travels in November.

But McCann believes the new-look Clarets are capable of heaping more cup misery on last season’s Championship runners up this time around, after taking heart from winning two of their three festive fixtures.

“I said at the beginning of the season that it would take time for the lads to get to know each other and playing patterns.

“I think slowly but surely we’ve got to where we want to be, although there’s still more improvement to go,” said the Dubliner.

“Sometimes it can be a nice distraction to get away and put the league to bed just for a week or so and try to get back to winning ways.

“It’s just nice to go to another Premier League ground and hopefully put in a good performance.

“They’re new to the league but they’re flying. They’ve had some really good results so to go there and get something would be an achievement for us.”

His first memory of the competition was the 1996 final between Manchester United v Liverpool.

“I remember Cantona scoring against Liverpool at Wembley. He was a hero that day,” said McCann.

“My dad’s a big Liverpool fan and I was a big United fan so there was always a bit of rivalry in the house so when he scored I was running round like a bit of a nut.

“Hopefully we can create some of our own memories with Burnley and take us on further in the competition.”