ASHLEY Westwood insists Burnley won't use the Europa League as an excuse next season if the Clarets book their spot in the competition.

Burnley need just four points from their final three league games to secure European football next term, although it could be sealed as early as this weekend if they beat Brighton at home and Leicester fail to win at Crystal Palace.

That could see the Clarets playing on Thursday's and Sunday's for a chunk of next season, but while the Europa League is sometimes considered a poisoned chalice for the affect on a league season, Westwood is adamant the Burnley squad are desperate to qualify.

If they finish seventh the Clarets will enter at the second qualifying round, a situation that is unlikely to change regardless of whether Arsenal win the Europa League, and just to make the group state they will play six fixtures on successive Thursday's from July 26 to August 30.

But plenty of Sean Dyche's squad have Football League experience and Westwood believes the busy schedule lower down the pyramid will stand them in good stead.

“We’ve done it all before, we’ve been Saturday-Tuesday, I did it coming up at Crewe as a kid back in the day with 50 games a season," the former Aston Villa midfielder said.

“We’re not going to use that as an excuse, we’ll take the challenge on if it does arise and hopefully prove people wrong.

“We’ve started to talk about it now. People say you don’t want it, but believe me, that group in there, we want it."

Burnley can still be caught by Everton as well as Leicester, but they can eliminate the Toffees from the chase with a win over Brighton at Turf Moor today.

The Seagulls head north in confident mood having all but secured their own Premier League survival this term.

“They’ve had a great season. They’re probably similar to ourselves in that they’d say they’re overachieving," said Westwood.

“They look like they’re going to see it over the line now, they should be a good test for us.

“Anyone outside the top six is happy with 16th, for them to be in 13th is a great achievement for them and likewise ourselves."