Burnley fans
Burnley's vociferous support will be key to their survival hopes

Last season

Championship: 2nd

FA Cup: Third round

League Cup: Fourth round

Top scorer: Danny Ings (26)

Summer's work

With many of Sean Dyche's squad preparing for their first season in the top flight, the Midlands-based boss has attempted to beef up his squad with Premier League experience.

The result has been the addition of Steven Reid and Matt Taylor, who have over 500 top-tier appearances between them, while Matt Gilks and Michael Kightly have also joined the club.

Championship campaigners Marvin Sordell and Lukas Jutkiewicz should keep Burnley competitive if they return to the second tier but their impact this season could waver.

Manager – Sean Dyche

Dyche was scandalously overlooked as the LMA manager of the year in the Championship after producing miracles to guide Burnley back to the Premier League.

He devised a style of play in winning promotion based on the blueprint of the continent's finest.

A fast, expansive passing style coupled with aggressive pressing without the ball and a hugely disciplined back four ensured that no club conceded fewer goals or lost fewer games than the Clarets in the second tier last season.

Mixing it with the Mourinhos and Wengers of the Premier League will not phase Dyche either.

Key player – Danny Ings

With Sam Vokes out until the turn of the year, the onus is firmly on Ings to translate his burgeoning potential and make the step up to the Premier League.

The 22-year-old was watched by several top-flight clubs during his days at Bournemouth but now they could trail in his wake this term.

His 26 goals came in all competitions last season, with pace with and without the ball scaring the life out of Championship defences. Expect Ings to operate more as a poacher this term but that shouldn't mean the goals dry up.

Expectations

Without the deluge of additions that normally accompanies promotion to the Premier League, there is already a sense Burnley are planning for a return to the Championship.

But in Dyche, the club have a manager who will fight until the very end. Many of his squad could either sink or swim this season, with such wafer-thin experience of the top flight on offer.

Prediction – 20th

A valiant challenge but one doomed to fail.