Duff not looking to retire at the end of the campaign

The 37-year-old, celebrating his testimonial year in his 11th season with the Clarets, will have to wait to see what his future holds as his contract expires in the summer.

But having featured in seven of the club’s eight Premier League clean sheets this term, including the latest one in victory over Hull City at the KC Stadium, the former Northern Ireland international is eager to prolong his playing career.

“I’ve not really thought about it but I’ve got no intention of retiring,” he said. “Today’s performance alone shows that I’ve still got something to offer.

“I still feel fit. The day I feel that I don’t have anything to offer I’ll pack up. I think this season has proved that I’ve still got something to offer.

“This season was a free hit for me really. It’s been a bonus year because I didn’t ever expect to get back to this level so I’m just enjoying every minute.

“We’ll pick the bones out of this, get over the disappointment, and move forward on several fronts.”

With games against Stoke City and Aston Villa still remaining, Duff added: “We’ve still got two games of this season to go and there’s a holiday in-between so we’ll start preparing for next season in the summer I’d imagine.

“We’ve got to try and enjoy the last two games because they are the ultimate free hits now. We’ve just got to enjoy it while we can.”

“The challenge won’t be any different. With the gaffer there’ll be the same demands that he expects from us every day in training. We’re not going to switch off and down tools.

“We’ll be trying hard to get as many points as we can. There’s still challenges left even though the ultimate goal has gone. People will be playing for places and playing for contracts next year.”

Steve Cotterill’s £30,000 capture from Cheltenham, who has 31 top flight appearances to his name in all, believes the club is a much stronger proposition now and in a significantly better position despite relegation back to the Championship.

“We’re not the only team that’s gone up and come straight back down,” he said.

“We don’t really deal with the past, you affect what’s happening in front of you and that’s what we’ll be doing.

“The foundations have been built from the last one when you look at the training ground and the development of the club.

“Hopefully the same will happen again this time.

“We’ll go back in to the Championship a much, much stronger club than what we were two years ago. We’ll be in a much better position.”