MANAGER Eddie Howe is adamant that Burnley’s play-off push will not come at the expense of their FA Cup ambitions.

The Clarets go to Premier League strugglers West Ham United for their fifth round tie on Monday after climbing to eighth in the table – five points behind sixth-placed Leeds – thanks to a run of three wins and only one defeat in six Championship games.

And Howe is hoping progress in both competitions can go hand in hand.

“We’d love to continue the run and go as far as we can,” said the former Bournemouth boss, who has been given a second chance in the competition after exiting the second round with his old club.

"We want to go there and put on a performance against a Premier League club who, despite their league position, are a good Premier League club.

"I think it's a nice distraction and a different kind of pressure with the cup games, it's probably a nice release for us.

"We'll look to enjoy it. I don't think we've got an awful lot to lose.”

However, ESPN's decision to televise the game at Upton Park has come at a cost to the Clarets' fixtures as is has forced the postponement of two home games.

The visit of Coventry, which was originally scheduled for tomorrow, would have been postponed anyway after Burnley beat Burton Albion in the fourth round.

But switching the game to Monday night has wiped out Tuesday night's home game against Middlesbrough also.

Howe is looking at the positives of the situation, though, and after games at Watford and Cardiff in the space of four days, is grateful for the extra two-day preparation time for their trip to the capital.

“We have had a lot of games. In some senses moving the game to Monday probably would suit us to give us extra time to recover from the exertions of Cardiff ,” he said.

“It's a fantastic game if we can progress and get down to the later stages of a fantastic competition, and that's what we're looking to do.

“We've got nothing to lose. I think we can just go there and hopefully carry on playing like we have been.

“There's a lot of interest in it for obvious reasons.

“We fully respect West Ham, we know it's going to be difficult.

“They're a Premier League team and I think they're better than perhaps their league position suggests.

“But we know if we carry on and match the performances that we have produced away from home lately, which is even more pleasing for us, then we've got a chance.”

Howe will be without January signings Charlie Austin and Marvin Bartley as both are cup tied after playing in earlier rounds for Swindon Town and Bournemouth respectively.

But David Edgar could come into contention after his loan move to Swansea City broke down because of a discrepancy over the paperwork.

“David Edgar's back from a failed loan attempt, which was a strange one,” said the Burnley boss.

“He's back for good at the minute. He's not going to go to Swansea.

“He was back (yesterday) and trained with us, so we're pleased to have him back within the squad.”