The Clarets are back in training and hoping to bounce right back to the Premier League. Here we look at seven young players who will be looking to make a bigger impact at Turf Moor.

>> CHRIS McCANN

Two serious knee injuries robbed the young Dubliner of the chance to shine in the top flight just six games into the Premier League season.

All eyes were tuned in to how McCann would progress after scoring eight goals in all competitions during Burnley’s epic 61-game campaign, of which he started 58. But he was held back first by medial knee ligament damage, then by a separate knee injury he sustained 10 minutes into his comeback game at Bolton in January.

The energetic midfielder, who turns 23 this month, has been made more determined to return for a new campaign And although manager Brian Laws has flipped the cheque book open to bring in midfielder Dean Marney from Hull City and powerful striker Chris Iwelumo from Wolves, he sees McCann as a key man this season. So much so, that he is ready to open new contract talks with the Clarets’ youth team graduate.

>> JAY RODRIGUEZ

Having lived in the shadow of strikers such as Steven Fletcher and loan star David Nugent during Burnley’s season in the Premier League, the Burnley-born striker will be ready to pick up where he left off in 2008/09.

The composure he demonstrated when getting the ‘Capital Punishment’ ball rolling in the Carling Cup, when Fulham became the first of four London club scalps, belied his tender years. But Rodriguez, who turns 21 on July 29, was never given the opportunity to step it up a level under either Owen Coyle or Laws last term.

Injury played a part in that, after breaking his ankle in a reserve game against Hull, but on recovering he rarely broke into the squad.

There is still competition for attacking places this season, following Iwelumo’s arrival, but this could be a big year for the committed Claret.

>> DAVID EDGAR

The former Newcastle defender must have questioned whether his decision to leave St James’ Park at the end of the 2009 season was the right one as the Magpies traded places with the Clarets.

On a personal note, Edgar’s suspension at the start of Burnley’s Premier League campaign had consequences for the remainder. The Canadian would have started at Stoke, following injury to captain Steven Caldwell. His enforced absence, meant he had to wait until Laws’ first game, at Old Trafford in January, to make his league debut for the Clarets.

Edgar’s spell in the side was short-lived, and he ended the season on loan at Champion-ship play-off hopefuls Swansea City.

But his value to the squad could be one of the reasons why Laws does not seem to be putting too much focus on boosting numbers at the back this summer.

After bringing in Leon Cort during the transfer window, and re-signing both Clarke Carlisle and Michael Duff, Laws must be looking to Edgar to put the pressure on for a starting place.

>> RICHARD ECKERSLEY

The right back turned down the chance to stay at Manchester United, where he had been offered a new deal, in favour of the prospect of first team football at Turf Moor.

That plan didn’t come to fruition as the wait for a tribunal to settle his fee hung over the Salford-born youngster like a dark cloud.

Eckerlsey got a good run-out on loan at Plymouth Argyle at the end of last season, and will surely be monitoring Tyrone Mears’ situation with interest.

The former West Ham and Derby right back has been linked with a move back to the Premier League. If that happens, then that should pave the way for Eckersley to start fulfilling his potential.

>> DANNY FOX

Failed to live up to his goalscoring debut after arriving from Celtic in the January transfer window.

Fox hit the ground running with a goal and assist against West Ham in a 2-1 win at Turf Moor, but his inconsistency in the remaining games became a source of frustration for fans.

However, the 24-year-old was a hit in a season-and-a-half at Coventry, earning him a move to Celtic last summer, albeit short-lived.

The Burnley faithful will hope that the Winsford-born full back can rediscover the form that earned him the players’ player of the year award at the Ricoh Arena, and a place in the Championship team of the year in 2009.

>> BRIAN EASTON

The left back made up the a trio of summer signings former boss Coyle made last year with an eye on the future. £300,000, Coyle claimed, would not buy you ready-made Premier League players; a peculiar concept in many respects when you consider that was the aim.

With left backs Stephen Jordan and Christian Kalvenes already at the club, and Danny Fox arriving in January, Easton never got a look-in. It was a situation the young Scot was not accustomed too having made 101 league starts at former club Hamilton.

He returned to the Accies on loan at the end of January for the remainder of the campaign, but is likely to push Fox for his place this season.

>> ALEX McDONALD

The Scotland Under19 international broke into the squad at the tail-end of Burnley’s 2007/08 season and in patches during the promotion campaign but, like Rodriguez, was not considered during the Clarets’ spell in the Premier League.

A sprightly attacking midfielder-cum-striker, MacDonald could spring a surprise against Championship clubs.

However, he is likely to have to settle for a spell in the reserves for starters.

He did well on loan at Falkirk in the Scottish Premier League last season, making his debut against Rangers at Ibrox, but could benefit more from a spell elsewhere in the Football League if he is loaned out again.

The last six months have been tough on a personal note for the youngster, but have made him more determined to succeed.