the Portuguese said in his pre-match press conference.

the Portuguese said in his pre-match press conference. “This season obviously we bought some key players, we believe and we are feeling that the new players have brought the squad and team into another dimension,” he said. “Yes we are title contenders, if you expect me to say we will win the Premier League I can’t say that. I can’t because I have to respect the competition, which is the only [league] that has more than two title contenders.

 “I have to respect the opponents and efforts the other teams made to improve their already top teams, but we all feel we are title contenders.” Burnley undertook a predictably more low-key approach during the close-season following their surprise march to an automatic promotion place in a magnificent 2013-14. Wolves left-back Stephen Ward became the seventh recruit on Friday ahead of their top-flight return, while Lukas Jutkiewicz has enjoyed a prolific pre-season since signing from Middlesbrough. Jutkiewicz is expected to partner Danny Ings in attack as Sam Vokes continues his lengthy rehabilitation from cruciate knee ligament damage.

“There will be a vast gap in resources available, that’s the reality of it,” said manager Sean Dyche – affectionately known as ‘Ginger Mourinho’ by the Burnley faithful – at a pre-match press conference. “There are probably still eight Championship clubs I could name off the bat who have got a better player wage level than we have now. “But look at what you’ve got, not what you haven’t.

We have to find a way of operating to get where we want. Behind my extremely bouncer-like look, there are a couple of brain cells in there.” Five years ago, Burnley memorably won their opening Premier League home game of the season 1-0 against Manchester United and Dyche is not ruling out another upset. “Never say never,” he added. “Was it Cardiff who got three points off Man City early last season? I don’t think many would have been expecting that.”