MICHAEL Duff is refusing to put himself under pressure to make a first team return this season, but admitted a comeback within the last five games would be a bonus.

Burnley manager Owen Coyle revealed the defender had been in his thoughts for the last two games, against Preston and Barnsley, following his recovery from multiple knee ligament damage.

But, although Duff is nine months ahead of his original schedule, after his cruciate knee ligament reattached itself without the need for surgery, he believes it will be tough to work his way into the back four for the remainder of this campaign.

"I've pretty much written this season off. If I get a game it will be a bonus, but with the lads going so well and potentially still being involved in the play-offs then they might not want to take a risk on me, which is fair enough," he said ahead of this afternoon's trip to Norwich City.

"The first team is where everyone wants to play - whether I'm injured or not. It's where everyone wants to be.

"With the injury I didn't think I was going to play potentially until next Christmas.

"But the knee feels good. Every game's getting stronger and stronger."

The 29-year-old completed his sixth reserve game on Wednesday night. Since making his comeback with the second string against Preston at the end of February, he has scored twice in a four-game winning run that came to an end at home to Carlisle in midweek.

"I know it wasn't a great game, but it was probably the best I've felt on Wednesday," he said.

"It's just trying to look after yourself personally as much as anything else at the minute - just trying to get the benefit out of games for myself.

"Just going into tackles and not thinking of the knee.

"Things are coming a lot more natural in my movements, so it's getting better.

"I think the end of this season has come too soon for me, but it's pleasing that the gaffer has been to all the games because, other than that, he's never seen me play live.

"It's not down to me. All I can do is keep playing these games, hopefully keep improving and doing all right and we'll see what he thinks.

"Whether he wants to play me or not, it's not my decision."

However, Duff admitted he had found it difficult being on the sidelines since returning to fitness.

"When I first did it, you get into your mindset that you're injured, but the last few weeks have been frustrating because with playing in the reserves I'm getting closer and closer, and it's getting hard to watch games," he said.

"My big goal is to pull on the shirt again. But it's all right doing it once - it's getting picked every week, which I want to be back doing again.

"Like I said, if I was to get a game this season it would be a nice bonus.

"But as long as (my knee) keeps improving and I have no setbacks then it's still on the road to recovery at the minute."