Maxime Estève said he felt the Clarets had finished the year well following Sunday night's draw against Middlesbrough.

Reflecting on a tough run of recent fixtures, the French defender praised his teammates for the squad's 15th clean sheet of the campaign and said focus has now shifted to starting 2025 brightly against Stoke City on New Year's Day.

“I think it’s a tough place to come [Middlesbrough] and another clean sheet so that’s a good point for me. We've had hard fixtures in the last two weeks, so I think it’s been a good finish to the year. We look forward to playing against Stoke City on Wednesday and against Blackburn on Saturday.”

The Clarets have kept an impressive 15 clean sheets so far this campaign, the joint most in the league. Despite playing a key role Estève said credit must be shared with the whole squad who all play their part.

“Yes, it’s not just the work of the backline too. Everyone you look at Josh Cullen, Josh Brownhill, Josh Laurent, the midfielders, the strikers, they all do the job. That’s the team spirit, that’s us. It’s very important we keep this because if we can’t score it’s nice to not concede.”

During a busy festive period, Scott Parker's men have had three challenging games in quick succession. Did the 22-year-old feel an element of tiredness may have crept in?

“No, it’s all right. That’s the job, we need to play every three days. For me, I like to play every three days, that’s my job so I’m happy. Maybe sometimes yes you are a little bit tired but that’s the job. We need to play, sometimes you are 80%, 75% but that’s what we have to do."

The challenging games have included visits to Norwich and Sheffield United, with wins against both and victory against Watford on home turf that's 10 out of 12 available points, which the defender is pleased with.

“Absolutely, Norwich is not easy, Sheffield United the same and it’s not easy to come here. So, for me that’s a very positive run of games. It’s important to keep this. I think we improve every week. I hope the second part of the season will be great and that we end positively.”

The second part of the season kicks off on Wednesday with Stoke City the visitors to Turf Moor. How's he feeling about the encounter?

“At home I think we need to win every game. We need to win the game against Stoke City, we need the three points and after that there is a big game for the Club, for the dressing room, for everyone, against Blackburn. We’re looking forward to that and I hope we have six points at the end of the week.”

And staying on the topic of the East Lancashire Derby, is the dressing room excited about that one?

“Definitely. I hope we win the game!”