It's been a long road back for Michael Duff, but the Clarets defender is set to make his long-awaited return into the first team this weekend at Crystal Palace.

Following a cruciate knee injury, the 29-year-old has been out of action for almost the whole season.

Manager Owen Coyle has confirmed the former Cheltenham stopper will feature in Sunday's final game of the season at Crystal Palace.

And with a first-team return within touching distance, Duff cannot wait to pull on the claret shirt again.

He said: "It's been a long season. I'm sure the lads are ready to finish, but the season is probably coming to an end at the wrong time for me.

"I've been on the bench for a couple of games and its nice to be involved.

Duff in reserve team action last month

"Just being involved in the warm-ups and the build up of the game gets the fire back in the belly and I'm really looking forward to the weekend now."

Duff paid tribute to the painstaking rehabilitation work supervised by club physio Andy Mitchell, who has also had Besart Berisha under his wing this season.

He added: "I have a lot of respect for Mitch and I can't really speak highly enough of him.

"He's got to be up there as the best in the country I think."

And looking beyond Sunday's comeback, Duff insists there will be work, rest and play on the agenda this summer.

He explained: "It (the injury) probably will make me become a better player than I was because I appreciate things a lot more now than what I did.

"Earning a decent living playing something you love is something that was nearly taken away from me.

"Obviously now there's a few weeks break but you've still got to maintain your fitness."

The whole Michael Duff interview is available to view on Clarets World now.

Tickets for Burnley fans are available on Sunday from Selhurst Park. Details are here.

But if you can't make it, Clarets World will have full commentary from Selhurst Park from 1.50pm on Sunday.