ASHLEY Barnes has called on Burnley to start believing they can qualify for Europe this season.

The Clarets extended their advantage in seventh with a point at Huddersfield on Saturday, taking them seven points clear of Leicester City and Everton.

Seventh could be enough for Europa League qualification if the FA Cup and Carabao Cup are won by teams finishing in the top five, and Barnes believes finishing as ‘best of the rest’ below the top six is a realistic achievement for Burnley this season.

“You’ve just got to look at the league. For us we’re just taking it one game at a time but the table and the points don’t lie,” the striker said.

“We are where we are on merit and we do need to start believing more and keep believing, keep going and keep striving towards being in the Europa League.”

Burnley are closer to the top six than they are to eighth place and Barnes believes a top seven finish is on this season for the Clarets, who welcome Liverpool to Turf Moor today.

“It’s fantastic, that just shows how far we’ve come as a group of players but we want to keep striving for more and get as many points on the board as possible,” Barnes said of the league position.

“We’re seven points clear (in seventh) so why can we not go and challenge the top boys?

“Every game is tough in this league but we’re there for a reason, because we’ve done so well.”

Asked if Burnley deserved to be labelled as ‘best of the rest’, Barnes added: “Yes, definitely. Why not? The league position speaks for itself.

“We’ve another tough, tough game now but it’s going to be the same for them. Hopefully we can capitalise on that, we’re at home so who knows what can happen?”

Barnes has started the last two league games for Burnley and his goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford took him to three for the season.

He has laid down a challenge to Chris Wood when the record signing returns from injury and while Barnes admits it’s frustrating to be out of the side, he knows he has to take his chance when it arrives.

“All I can do is work hard. It’s frustrating when you’re not playing as much as possible but it’s a team game,” the 28-year-old said.

“I want to help as much as I can, put my boots on the right feet as much as possible, my goal record isn’t justified at the moment but hopefully that will come by the end of the season.

“That’s what we’re there to do. We’ve got to be ready. There are four of us waiting in the wings, I know Woody has picked up an injury, but he’ll be back and adding to that fight and competition. There’s no better place to be.”