SEAN Dyche insists Burnley will be taking Europe seriously next season - but the Premier League must take priority.

The Clarets have secured Europa League qualification this term with a top-seven finish, returning Burnley to Europe for the first time in more than half a century.

But while Dyche is ready to embrace Europe, he believes the domestic campaign has to come first.

Burnley were never close to being involved in a relegation scrap this term but the extra pressure of dealing with a European adventure that begins on July 26 could have an impact in 2018/19.

Dyche has already begun planning for next term, with the start of pre-season brought forward, but he knows continued involvement in the top flight is essential for the club to continue to grow.

“There’s a reality to the preparation, enjoy the fact you’ve made it into Europe, but we know the real bread and butter is still the Premier League. That’s the way it is, that’s how powerful the Premier League is.

“It’s (Europe) something to try and do well in, it’s there to be enjoyed and respected that we’ve got there, but knowing that the Premier League is the real stage for the club to continue growing and the players to continue growing and improving.”

Dyche had been putting contingency plans for pre-season in place for several weeks, but with European qualification now confirmed the planning can begin in earnest.

The Clarets chief will bring his players back earlier to get them in shape for the end of July, while the later pre-season friendlies will have to be moved.

“Some of the thoughts, the 'just in case' thoughts with the staff and the board (have taken place), we don’t know the logistics yet, but we can plan the pre-season,” Dyche said.

“The dates have shifted earlier, we’ll be in earlier to give us a bit more time to make sure the players are fit and well.”

Clubs have often considered the Europa League to be something of a poisoned chalice due to the Thursday-Sunday schedule and the impact it can have on a Premier League campaign.

Managers have rung the changes for the Europa League fixtures and the Clarets will face a busy schedule if they are to make the group stages, with three two-legged qualifying rounds to get through which could mean six fixtures on six successive Thursday nights.

Dyche is adamant that his side have never not taken a competition they are in seriously and reiterated that he will be treating the Europa League with respect.

But the finances on offer in the Premier League which, thanks to the TV deal are more than £100million per season, make survival the ultimate priority and while Europe is a ‘fantastic achievement’, Dyche is maintaining his focus on the top flight.

“We’ve never not taken anything seriously, but we still know that the real challenge for clubs like us is to continue the journey in the Premier League, it’s a fact,” he said.

“People talk about the cups and the downgrading of cups, not at all. It’s just the reality of the Premier League, not only the kudos, but the finance, the feel of it, the boost for a town like Burnley to have a team in the Premier League, that’s a big thing.

“There’s no downgrading of it, it’s a fantastic achievement from the players, but the focus remains heavily on the Premier League.”