'Keep pushing' - Newcastle United linked defender makes survival claim on his Burnley side

Burnley defender James Tarkowski believes his side must continue picking up points due to the form of the likes of Newcastle United. Tarkowski was linked with a move to the Magpies during the January transfer window, but Eddie Howe’s side were priced out of a move as Burnley refused to sell to a relegation rival.

The 29-year-old is out of contract at Turf Moor in the summer, however the Clarets placed more importance on survival, rather than guaranteeing themselves a transfer fee. Tarkowski and his Burnley team-mates have been in good form as of late, picking up seven points from their last four matches, which has clawed them right back into survival contention.

The Clarets are now within touching distance of Leeds United, Everton and Brentford which, just a few weeks ago, did not look possible. Newcastle, however, have been able to open up a little bit of breathing space between themselves and the bottom three with a seven-match unbeaten run.

Meanwhile, both Leeds and Brentford have been in free fall as of late, while Everton are too also struggling to sustain a run of form. Leeds, though, have acted quickly in an attempt to arrest their poor form by hiring Jesse Marsch as their new manager, with Marcelo Bielsa having been relieved of his duties on Sunday.

Via the Burnley Express, Tarkowski knows that the Clarets must keep up their good run of form as the sides around them also look to generate some momentum.

He said: "Teams around us have been doing well; Newcastle have picked up a lot of points recently, Leeds have had a change of manager and Everton have had a recent change of manager so there are a lot of teams around us who are looking to change as well. We've got to keep pushing on and hopefully we can get another