Burnley defender Ameen Al-Dakhil would be happy to play every day as he switches focus from the Premier League to a quest for cup glory.
The 21-year-old Belgium international was part of the Clarets side which succumbed to Bruno Fernandes’ stunning volley in Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat by Manchester United in the top flight.
Now he and his team-mates have to turn their attention swiftly to tonight's Carabao Cup third-round trip to League Two Salford and the different challenge that will present, although the former St Truiden player has no complaints about a fixture schedule which then takes them to in-form Newcastle on Saturday.
Al-Dakhil told the club website: “It’s our job. I love to play matches. I enjoy it and look forward to them all. If I could play every day, then I would.
“The big games keep on coming. We have Tuesday first, which we have to be ready for. It doesn’t matter if they aren’t in the Premier League.
“I grew up watching these type of games and stadiums on TV as a kid and now I’m playing them, and I hope we can get three points.”
Burnley secured their place in the third round with a 1-0 victory at Premier League Nottingham Forest courtesy of substitute Zeki Amdouni’s last-minute strike.
Manager Vincent Kompany made changes for that game back in August, and could do so again as he attempts to manage the competing demands of a league campaign which has yielded just a single point for last season’s Championship winners.
However, Johann Berg Gudmundsson is being assessed after limping out of Saturday’s game.
Al-Dakhil for one will hope to remain in the team as they attempt to build upon improved performances.
He said: “I hope that and I know we will get better. We are performing now. At first it was a little bit hard but now we are doing better and playing better overall.
“I would say it’s a dream for me to be here. It was always a dream to play in the Premier League and I am living my dream now and it’s fantastic.
“I have to enjoy every single moment going forward, in training and in matches and keep improving.”
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