BURNLEY'S planned promotion assault will be up-and-running within a matter of days as Stan Ternent's squad hits the road to reach the big kick-off in peak condition.

The Clarets don't report back for pre-season training until July 5.

But Ternent's players will already have some miles under their belts by then as they follow summer fitness programmes laid down by the club.

It's a recipe for success Ternent has previously employed during his time in charge at Bury.

And he will be hoping the blueprint of successive promotions to the First Division will rub off on his Clarets charges this season.

"They will be training a couple of days a week," Ternent confirmed.

"They get a few weeks' break then into training so they don't lose a lot of fitness.

"I like them to have a month or so to take it easy then I give them a programme.

"They can do it themselves or they can come in if they want, just as long as they come back ready on July 5."

Burnley's players will therefore hit the ground running when they report back to Gawthorpe at the start of next month. With some of the fitness work already done, Ternent and his coaching staff will be able to step up the intensity straight away ahead of the opening pre-season game at home to Manchester City on Saturday, July 17.

Peter Swan will be the only member of Ternent's squad - which is still to be bolstered by new arrivals - not ready for the start of the season as he continues his rehabilitation following knee surgery. Paul Smith and Paul Weller will hopefully have put their injury and illness problems behind them.

Steve Davis should be recovered in time from double hernia surgery and Ternent is also looking forward to welcoming back a fully-fit Lenny Johnrose, whose impact following his £225,000 signing from Bury in Febuary was vastly reduced by a calf injury.

"It will be like having a new player," Ternent added.

"He has not shown what he is capable of. Like Steve Davis he shouldn't really have been playing but he will be alright when we start."

Ternent has spoken with a number of potential transfer targets but it's still early days in terms of getting players to commit themselves.

Many will be hedging their bets as they try and strike a balance between getting the best deal and not missing the boat.

One of those may be Chesterfield defender Mark Williams, who is wanted by a number of clubs.

The Northern Ireland international is available under the Bosman ruling and is certain to be a player who has been noted by Ternent. However, with Premiership new boys Watford, First Division Barnsley and Scottish Premier League outfit Aberdeen all reported to be tracking the 28-year-old, Ternent may look elsewhere if he wishes to add to his central defensive pairing of Davis and Chris Brass.

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