STAN Ternent is pushing his players through the pain barrier to ensure there is no repeat of last season's dismal start to the season.

The Clarets squad have been enduring up to three gruelling spells each day to reach the peak of fitness for the big kick-off in under four weeks time.

Ternent needs no reminding of the sluggish way his team came out of the blocks last time out.

Defeats in each of their first four league games, to Brighton, Wolves, Sheffield United and Reading, effectively left the pointless Clarets playing catch-up.

And although there is no suggestion a lack of fitness was behind the sudden slump, meticulous boss Ternent is leaving nothing to chance.

He said: "I just wanted to get into it a little bit quicker this time, so we are working them hard.

"There has been plenty of stamina work, but they are also swimming as another extra exercise and to wind them down a little.

"We'll step up the football this week and play some behind-closed-doors stuff to keep things moving along and then we have the Isle of Man to sharpen them up further."

Ternent has far from finished with his summer shopping spree, despite adding four new faces to his squad for the forthcoming campaign.

Defence and midfield remain a priority to bolster a side that conceded far too many goals last term.

Manchester United midfielder Michael Stewart remains a target, despite the player linking up with Nottingham Forest for a week-long tour to France.

And the Burnley boss is still hopeful of having new players on board by the time the squad set sail to the Isle of Man on Saturday night.

He added: "Hopefully something will happen soon. The Isle of Man tournament is of massive importance to us, not necessarily in terms of results, although you always like to win.

"But more importantly because I can give everyone a game and see them playing in matches.

"Training is all well and good, but you need to give them competitive games to step the fitness up another level."