SUMMER signing Chris Iwelumo believes he will form one part of a formidable strike partnership, as Burnley bid to fire their way back into the Premier League.

The Scotland front man said he wouldn’t reveal his personal target until he hit it.

But the towering former Wolves striker is confident there will be plenty of goals in the Clarets’ front line, whatever the combination manager Brian Laws chooses from the current quartet.

Iwelumo, Martin Paterson, Steven Thompson and Burnley-born Jay Rodriguez will all be vying for a place in the starting line-up for when the new campaign kicks off on August 7.

Laws has indicated that target Billy Sharp’s decision to stay at Sheffield United does not necessarily mean the end of his search for another striker, although he is satisfied with who he already at his disposal.

Iwelumo is confident there is already enough firepower to fuel the Clarets’ quest for another promotion, and he believes his three team-mates will provide plenty of healthy competition.

“The strikers here are all great players, they’re all goalscorers. Just being part of it is exciting,” said the 31-year-old, who made the move from Molinuex last month.

“It’s a great standard, which is badly needed because it’s one of the positions that throughout the season will probably vary more than any other.

“The back four will probably stay more or less the same, but every striker goes through little sticky spells and sometimes it needs that new lease of life to come in and kick on.

“The most important thing is Burnley Football Club. There are individuals in that but as a team it’s so important that everyone’s on the same page.

“And competition is one of the best things ... every player getting the best out of themselves. Having the competition there means when they’re not doing it someone else is going to come in. Every player wants to play and that’s the way it should always be.”

The former Stoke and Colchester striker added: “There’s going to be disappointment when you’re not selected but you’ve got to make sure you stay mentally right and if anything you say to whoever comes in ‘as soon as you slack I’m getting it back’ because that’s the way it’s got to be.

“We’ve all got to be aiming for the same thing, which is automatic promotion.

“These are exciting times. There’s a great bunch of lads, everyone wants to play and I’m sure that’s what everyone wants to hear.”

And Iwelumo is confident the club can bounce back from the disappointment of relegation, after only one season of Premier League football.

“Disappointment’s there, but no-one wants to feel like that, so you’ve got to brush yourself down as quickly as you can and move on,” he said.

“You’ve got to prepare yourself for the hard work ahead, but everyone’s positive and everyone’s excited and looking forward to it.

“Long may that continue.

“I think the time when you come in and there’s not many smiling faces there’s something wrong there.”