Neil Warnock has urged his Cardiff side to “hang in there” after their winless start to the Premier League season.

Cardiff head into a crunch visit from Burnley on Sunday joint-bottom with just two points from six games and fresh from 4-1 and 5-0 defeats to Chelsea and Manchester City.

“The fixture list has not been kind to us, the first 10 games we play seven of the top teams from last year,” manager Warnock said.

“It is a little bit cruel on us, but we just have to hang in there.

“Apart from playing the top six, anything is winnable in this league and Burnley fall into that category.”

Burnley bounced back from a difficult start complicated by their early-season Europa League commitments to thrash Bournemouth last weekend.

That handsome 4-0 success lifted the Clarets above Cardiff and out of the relegation zone.

“From their point of view they will be looking at this as a good chance to get three points,” Warnock said.

“It isn’t a must-win game, but it is a game that is really important to us.

“With the two away games at Tottenham and Liverpool coming up, and only one home game in between against Fulham, it is a very difficult period.

“That’s why you can’t brush under the carpet the importance of this game.”

Sol Bamba is expected to return to the Cardiff defence with Lee Peltier ruled out for up to three months with a dislocated shoulder.

Bamba’s experience and physicality will be crucial against Burnley, who have the power of Chris Wood, Ashley Barnes and Sam Vokes at their attacking disposal.

“Our lads need something after the games we’ve just had against two top teams,” Warnock said.

“Man City showed why they are what they are, and Chelsea had the individuals.

“But it is just as difficult playing Burnley if you aren’t ready and up for it.

“Our lads are relieved they haven’t got a top six-club.

“But as I have reminded them, Burnley finished seventh last season, so don’t get carried away.”

Kenneth Zohore scored nine goals in Cardiff’s promotion last term, but he has fallen out of favour and not started one of the last three games with Danny Ward preferred to lead the line.

And Warnock had some strong words for the Denmark Under-21 striker, saying: “He has got to do better in training every day.

“He has to get the hunger back that he had.

“What’s that saying about taking a horse to water? He’s got to do more.”