BURNLEY midfielder David Jones is battling relegation with a fourth different Premier League club - and he knows unity will be the most important ingredient during the run-in.

Jones has previously suffered relegation with Derby County but had successful fights with both Wolves and Wigan Athletic.

The 30-year-old will hope to use all of his experience as he battles the drop again with the Clarets, who sit 18th in the table with eight games left to play.

Jones is far from the only Burnley player to have been in such a situation before and he says that previous battles have taught him that togetherness is the key factor in the run-in.

He believes that is one of the Clarets’ biggest strengths, just as it was on the way to promotion last season.

“There’s no magic formula but a key thing is the feeling within the squad and how we’re such a tight knit real team,” he said.

“Those are the types of things that get you through this kind of situation, as it did last year. This year we’ll be looking to do the same.

“Whoever is in the team or out of the team, now it’s about the collective group.

“It’s such a powerful thing that everyone is pulling in the same direction, whether they’re playing or not That is what has to carry us forward. It has to be the unity, everyone together.

“I think the fans and everyone can see that we are doing that and working really hard to try to stay in this league.”

A number of players including Michael Duff, Jason Shackell, George Boyd, Sam Vokes, Michael Kightly, Ross Wallace, Stephen Ward, Matt Taylor, Steven Reid, Marvin Sordell and Matt Gilks also have previous experience of being involved in Premier League survival fights.

“Experience is important,” Jones said.

“We’ve got a number of experienced players in the team now and whatever you can do to pass on your experience from these types of games, it can only be a positive.

“We’ve got some wise heads in the squad and hopefully that will count for something.”

Jones was on loan at Blackburn Rovers by the time that Wigan were relegated in 2013, and is relishing the opportunity to play a hands-on role this season as he attempts to keep Burnley in the Premier League.

“It was different with Wigan,” he said.

“Obviously you’re still signing at your parent club, which was Wigan at the time, but I was just concentrating on my game elsewhere and getting as many games as possible.

“I didn’t feel as if I was part of it as much as obviously being here now.

“The aim here in the games left is I want to play as big a part as I can in those games and make an impact.”