BEN Mee has not thought about the impact the current Clarets are having on the club’s history. He prefers to live in the moment.

But he admits that when his career is over he may well reflect on this period as a golden age for the club.

The centre half has been a key figure in some big moments for Burnley during the Sean Dyche era with two promotions, one Championship title and bringing European football back to Turf Moor for the first time in more than half a century.

Now, as club captain, Mee and Burnley are in line for a return to the European scene, going into this afternoon’s trip to Newcastle United just four points off fifth place and three adrift of sixth.

A win at St James’ Park would also put them on 40 points – generally enough for safety – all but ensuring a fifth straight year of top flight football for the first time since the 1960s.

Mee was unaware of the historical element, but is fully briefed on what it means right now.

"It's another one to tick off (five successive seasons in the Premier League)," said the defender.

"We don't really know the stats, but we're enjoying it and we know it's a really good time for the club.

"We want to keep it that way, progress and keep doing well.

"When you're involved in it I think it's different.

"Once you're in it, it doesn't really seem like much because you're just rolling with it.

"You just take it as it comes, but in 10 or 20 years’ time we'll probably look back on it and realise what we've done. For now we just want to keep going and keep improving.”

Part of that improvement process has been an upturn in Burnley’s away form.

Historically travel sick in the Premier League, they achieved seven wins on their travels in 2017/18 and have already chalked off four this season.

"We know the difference from the first time we came into the Premier League, we know you can't be too naive in games, you need to be solid away from home,” said Mee, who first joined the club on loan from Manchester City in the summer of 2011, becoming a permanent signing a year later.

“The experience of our squad now certainly helps massively. We've got a lot of quality in the team now as well compared to when we first came in the Premier League, without disrespecting anyone. Even I've improved as a player.

“A bit of know-how helps, especially at tough places when there's an atmosphere. You improve the more you do it.”

The long serving defender added: "When we get our noses in front we are tough to break down and tough to beat at that stage.

"When we do get ahead we do feel confident that we're going to see it out. We're very good at doing that.

“I don't know if there's any secret, we just work hard every week. Things weren't going for us before this run, but we stuck at it and continued to do what we do.

"The work we've been doing has been paying off.

"A bit of experience helps as does belief as well. There's a lot of belief in the squad that we can go on and win games anywhere we go.

"The experience is there, but the work we do week in, week out and winning games brings the confidence and belief into the team."

Next up is the first points target this season, hitting a nice round 40 in the North East.

"We'll have to tick that one off this weekend then, I guess," Mee said. "That would be nice."