CLITHEROE manager Dave Burgess and his squad are champing at the bit as they prepare for a week of training at the Blackburn Rovers Academy.

The North West Counties League Division One side are swapping places with the Rovers teenagers for seven days on Monday July 16.

And while the pampered trainees of the Premiership side may not be relishing the thought of a week at Shawbridge, the Blues cannot wait to get their hands on the facilities at Brockhall.

"We have use of the facilities for a week," said Burgess. "So we will be training every night.

"And the Academy lads will be training every day at Shawbridge, using our ground, our facilities, our balls, our bibs, everything.

"With no disrespect to anyone playing at this level of football, it will give those young players a taste of what life will be like in football if they don't make it as professionals.

"I have been down there to have a look around so I know what to expect and the players can't wait."

The Blues squad have already been back in training for a fortnight, while most North West Counties sides won't re-group for another week.

"By the time other clubs start training we'll have already done six sessions so the way I look at it is that at the start of the season we will be six sessions in front," said Burgess.

"We did the same last year and if we start the season the same as we did last year I'll be happy."

The Blues went 10 games unbeaten at the start of last season and the players who took the club to second in Division One and to the semi-final of the FA Vase have all re-signed and Burgess is looking to add one or two more.

"We have had four or five down training with us, all players who have been playing at North West Counties level, and if I sign a couple of those I will be happy.

"I am looking at players for all positions but I will only sign someone if they are better than what we already have."

The Blues have been boosted by the news that they will enter the FA Vase at the second round stage this year; some teams will have played three games in the competition by that time.

But that has been offset by the decision to put the club into the Extra Preliminary round of the FA Cup where they face Doncaster side Rossington Main at Shawbridge.

"I was surprised at that," said Burgess. "It seems they just pick teams out of the hat for that first stage because if it went on form there would only be Division Two sides in it.

"But if we have to play an extra game, we have to play an extra game."

It has been 12 months since Burgess took the reigns at Clitheroe and the Blues boss feels he is much better prepared for this season than last.

"I feel much better about everything this season.

"I only had six players this time last year and I didn't know what the others were going to do.

"Now I have players ringing me up asking if they can come and train with us.

"That's a nice change. It's something I'm not used to."

Shawbridge was turned down by the UniBond League last season but redevelopment work has been completed and the Blues are now confident that if they go one better this year and win the league, they will go up.

"All the work was completed by the time we said it would be," said Burgess.