Burnley winger Dwight McNeil: 'The confidence will come flooding back!'

Burnley are the lowest scorers in the top flight at present having netted just nine times in 17 outings this term.

Only seven other clubs in Premier League history have scored nine goals or less after 17 games and the forecast is less than favourable.

Manchester City (9) were relegated in 1996, Sunderland (8) went down in 2003, Derby County (6) returned to the Championship as the all-time lowest scorers with 20, Swansea (9) suffered the drop, as did Watford (9) last year.

Everton (9) were the only side to recover from their early season profligacy and secure Premier League survival when finishing mid-table in 2006.

“You can see we haven’t got that little bit of confidence at the minute, but I think once we get the next couple of goals we will have that confidence back in the team and we’ll score more again," said the 21-year-old.

“It’s hard. We are getting as many people as we can into the box and trying to create chances but we are not scoring enough goals at the moment.

“We are just missing that final key pass and that goal at the moment."

The former Manchester United man is confident that Sean Dyche's side can make a full recovery this season having been through the mire before.

The Clarets were in the bottom three with just 12 points in McNeil's breakthrough season at Turf Moor, but they would go on to amass 28 points during the second part of the campaign.

With games against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City coming up on the calendar, he said: “We are an experienced group. We have got some big games coming up and we are just looking forward as a team.

“We’ve been through it before and we’re going through it a tiny bit now.

“We were in a worse position two seasons ago and managed to get ourselves out of it and I’m sure we’ll do it again.”

McNeil returned to action against his former club, Manchester United, last week when recovering from a groin strain to replace Robbie Brady after the hour.

He then stepped up his comeback with an encouraging second half display in the defeat against West Ham United at the London Stadium at the weekend.

“It’s been frustrating, but you could also say it was time for a little rest and a break for me," he said.

“It’s just good to be back. Everyone is getting fit now and it’s good to see a full squad back.

“I feel good and I am just happy to get some minutes in coming back from injury."