TWO years ago Scott Arfield had just been released by a Huddersfield Town team who had finished 19th in the Championship, having started just nine league games.

Today the 26-year-old will go head-to-head against Yaya Toure and David Silva as a mainstay of Sean Dyche’s Burnley side.

It has been quite a journey and Livingston-born Arfield has proved a valuable member of this Clarets squad, whether playing out wide or moving infield to cover Dean Marney and David Jones, as he has done for the last four games.

It’s a far cry from the situation he found himself in at the end of the 2013 season. He was invited on a trial with Burnley after being told his time with the Terriers was up, scored against Cork City and hasn’t looked back since, featuring in all but one of the Clarets’ Premier League games this season.

As he prepares for the biggest battle for central midfield in his career so far, Arfield insists he won’t be letting the occasion get the better of him.

"Some people find it quite difficult but the character I am, last season every game was like a cup final for me to try to stay in the team,” he said.

“It's been the same here. The calibre of player you come against is fantastic but you can't let the name on the back of the shirt get the better of you before you've played. If you do then you'll come unstuck.

"It's not really my bag to be over-awed by a player, or a club or an occasion. The demands I have on myself, you want to do the best for your team."

Burnley’s players got a taste of what life is like with the Premier League’s big boys over the winter when they trained at City’s former Carrington training ground due to frozen pitches at Gawthorpe, and Arfield revealed it was an eye-opener for the squad on what could be achieved if they can prolong their spell in the top flight.

"I can't really imagine what the new (training ground) must be like because the old one was sensational,” he said. “We walked in there open-mouthed..

"It was sensational in terms of the facilities, indoors. It makes you want to strive to play somewhere like that.

"The longer you stay in this division, it really opens your eyes about what you can achieve."

Arfield has never made any secret of his ambition to represent his country, and he was given a boost in January when Scotland assistant manager Mark McGhee said he had watched him for Burnley and that the national set-up were keeping a close eye on him.

Gordon Strachan is set to name his squad for games at the end of March against Northern Ireland and Gibraltar next week, and Arfield is hoping he will be in for the first time.

"It's my ambition, I've said that many times,” he said.

“I'd love to be involved but it's not something that I will let make or break my season. I was desperate to be involved but the squad the manager has picked has done magnificent.

“There's a real confidence we are going to be there. I'm desperate to be involved but if it doesn't happen you look to the next one.

"You take great heart when someone takes an interest in you. But bonuses like that come from staying in this team and playing every game. I'd welcome it with open arms."

Arfield isn’t the only uncapped Claret close to a senior call-up, with Danny Ings vying for a spot in Roy Hodgson’s squad as well.

Ings has scored nine goals for Burnley this season, but faces competition from fellow uncapped strikers Harry Kane, Saido Berahino and Charlie Austin for a place alongside Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck.

Arfield, a goalscorer twice for the Clarets this term, would be delighted if Ings does get the call for national service, but accepts competition is fierce.

"If it happens then he's thoroughly deserved it but it's different to our own nation,” he said.

“They've got world class strikers. Ingsy has been on fire since Christmas, getting goals, his movement his second to none.

“But look at the calibre of the players - Kane, Austin. If it happens, we'd be delighted but he's got a big job on here."