Sean Dyche has claimed that Burnley would be more than worthy of a place in the Europa League given their Premier League exploits this term.
The Clarets are all but assured of a top-seven finish as they have a six-point cushion over Everton with two games to go and have a far superior goal difference.
Although Dyche stopped short of describing European qualification as a foregone conclusion, he stressed that "you can't cheat" the league table.
"It's a fantastic achievement if we get there," Dyche is quoted by ESPN as saying following Saturday's 0-0 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion.
"There's a massive swing involved. We weren't as good as we can be, a long way from it at times, but the habits were there, the will to play was there, we were just short of quality.
"It's hard to sit here on a soft performance to question the players. Over the season they've been absolutely fantastic and they've earned the right.
"The points we've got on the table in the Premier League, you can't cheat that. You can have a lucky spell but you can't be lucky all season. It takes organisation, delivery of performance, the mentality to take on each game, and we've had that in abundance."
Burnley's last foray in Europe was in 1966–67, when they took part in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
