Lowton claims Burnley have evolved this season

Burnley defender Matt Lowton believes the Clarets have come a long way since winning promotion back to the Premier League, as they move closer towards survival.

Burnley are eight points clear of the relegation zone and look set to survive in the top flight for the first time since 1975, after their previous two spells in the Premier League ended following just one season.

Sean Dyche’s side have done so despite not having won away from home this campaign, with their superb form at Turf Moor keeping them away from trouble.

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Lowton, who has helped the Clarets to 12th place in the table said: “Being in the Premier League in two of the last three seasons has helped as a club and the signings we have made have strengthened the team that won the Championship, so we are going from strength to strength and hopefully we can keep going.

“There’s no reason why we can’t be in and around a mid-table position and set our stall out, hopefully, for the next couple of years, at least, in the Premier League.”

Two late clearances off the line by Lowton allowed Burnley to claim a 0-0 draw at Middlesbrough last weekend, which helped maintain the gap between the Clarets and the bottom three.

“They are fighting for their lives so they put it on us a bit late on,” Lowton said. “But I thought we created a few chances ourselves and a point is obviously a lot better for us at this stage.”