BURNLEY have raised the bar so often that Sam Vokes says he would only be half surprised if Champions League football was the team's next challenge.

The Clarets surpassed expectations by securing a Europa League place with a seventh placed finish in the Premier League - a feat that brings European football back to Turf Moor for the first time in 51 years.

Since Vokes arrived at Turf Moor in the summer of 2012 Burnley have generally been on an upward curve - winning two promotions from the Championship, including one title, and have secured a third consecutive top flight season with their highest finish since 1974, when they finished sixth in the old First Division.

Their achievements this year in particular have left many wondering what is next for the club and how they can top the 2017-18 campaign.

But while manager Sean Dyche and his players are ambitious, former Bournemouth and Wolves striker Vokes says they remain realistic and that a 'safety first' policy will be the goal in the Premier League.

"The Champions League will be next!" smiled the Wales international.

"We keep stepping up to the challenge every year. But first of all we want to stay up, then we'll look to build on that. It's exactly what we've done this year.

"We're not getting carried away here because we know it's going to be tough every season. Everyone writes us off so let's see if we can secure another Premier League season. It's never going to be easy but it's important that we keep building."

And Vokes feels experiencing success on their European adventure will be key to their progress.

"We've got to be successful in Europe. We've got to qualify for the next round in that and see where it takes us," said the 28-year-old.

"It's a new challenge for us so we won't know much about it until we get there. It's a challenge we're looking forward to and we believe we can do it. Of course.

"We'll come back in pre-season and get ready to build on what we've done this year. We're ready to take it on."