BEN Mee insists Burnley are enjoying the challenge of bloodying the nose of some of the Premier League’s big spenders as they prepare to face a Sunderland side boosted by the capture of Jermain Defoe.

The Black Cats are above the Clarets in the table by just one goal, but they have moved to try and allay their relegation fears by bringing in 32-year-old Defoe, who has 124 Premier League goals to his name.

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The former Tottenham striker is reported to be on around £70,000 a week after signing a three-and-a-half-year deal at the Stadium of Light.

Gus Poyet’s expensive gamble on a player who spent last season in the MLS shows the battle Burnley are up against in competing with sides who have much bigger budgets, but it’s one that Mee says he and his team-mates are enjoying.

"That's the challenge we've got and we're enjoying it,” said the former Manchester City trainee.

“Teams like Villa, Sunderland and Palace who are around us - it's exciting and we're definitely looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

In 22 league games Burnley have scored two goals more than Sunderland, which has led to their desire to strengthen the forward ranks.

The Black Cats have failed to find the back of the net in 11 of 26 games so far this campaign, so will be hoping Defoe can bring about a change of fortune in front of goal.

Poyet’s side drew another blank in a 0-0 FA Cup fourth round draw with Fulham on Saturday.

Burnley enjoyed a weekend off after exiting the cup at the hands of Tottenham, but will be looking to bounce back after throwing away a two-goal lead to lose to relegation rivals Crystal Palace last weekend.

Mee, who scored his second goal for the club in that defeat, believes the squad have shown they have the character to respond to that setback.

“We've got a great group of lads and we won't get too down about it,” he said. “We'll come back with plenty of character like we do and go again after a nice rest.

"It's always nice to have a game after a defeat so you can try and amend it but we've got time to come together as a group again and work out what we're going to do for next time.

“It doesn't matter whether we've got a game or not because we'll work as hard as we always do and we'll be ready.

"Every game is a big game for us. From the start of the season every game has been massive. All the lads are looking forward to it. We'll just play how we play and go again.”

Mee could come up against Adam Johnson on Saturday, having faced direct, quick wingers such as Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend in the last two games, and it’s a battle he is looking forward too.

"That's what this league is about,” he said, there's plenty of good wingers in it.

“All teams play with wingers and they always test you. It's always nice to pit your wits against these kind of players.”