Mike Jackson is focused on the relegation battle, not the full-time job at Burnley

Mike Jackson has given no thought to what his professional situation might be on Monday morning as he puts everything into Burnley’s relegation decision against Newcastle on Sunday.

Ackson, 48, resigned from his role as U23 boss when Sean Dyche was abruptly sacked last month.

He has 11 points from seven games to put Burnley’s fate in their own hands when they host the Magpies on the final day and need to match Leeds’ result at Brentford to stay top.

Such has been the rejuvenation at Turf Moor in recent weeks that Jackson himself should be considered as a candidate for the full-time job, although he has consistently downplayed that suggestion.

“I didn’t think of that at all,” he said. “All my thoughts were how we can achieve what we want to do.

“We didn’t talk about it. We haven’t had time to think about it yet. My full focus was trying to make that happen.

“Let’s see what happens on Monday morning. Fingers crossed that everything goes as we want, then we have a good Monday.”

Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Villa Park lifted Burnley out of the relegation zone, level on points with Leeds in 18th place but with a far better goal difference. That means they need to match or better Leeds’ result at Brentford to secure another season of top-flight football.

Jackson will be kept up to date on the result at Brentford Community Stadium but wants Burnley to take care of themselves.

“It’s very difficult,” he said. “We’re going to talk about that and how we think we can go about it, but I think if you’re primarily trying to win your game, you can try to do your job and then as it goes along, maybe you’ll see something with the scores, but it is very difficult.

“There will be a lot of emotions. It’s about reminding them to focus on what they’re doing. When you start thinking about other things and you get carried away…you need to get the intensity right.”

And when it comes to intensity, Jackson also wants to make sure fans hear that message should Burnley succeed in their mission.

After a string of on-pitch invasion incidents this week, there are fears of a repeat at Turf Moor, where managers from both sides have to cross the pitch to reach the tunnel – with the potential for something similar to the moment Patrick Vieira was confronted by Everton supporters on Thursday.

Jackson said there was little clubs could do to stop the field invasions if enough fans were determined to attend, but fans must celebrate in the right way.

“Every club is trying to stop it, but it’s very difficult,” he said. “The utmost is the safety of the players, the managers and the people on the pitch – this also applies to the audience.

“There could be a little boy in there with his dad, you have to imagine that.

“Try and enjoy, and just be sensible. We’re talking about a few incidents, a few people. It doesn’t mean the whole stadium, the whole crowd, but one person can spoil it for the rest.”