SEAN Dyche will be determined to 'make his mark in Europe' this season, according to former Claret Graham Alexander.

Dyche has led Burnley back to Europe after a 51-year absence thanks to a seventh place finish last term and the Clarets will begin their Europa League campaign with a second qualifying round tie against Aberdeen.

The Battle of Britain clash is a tough opener for the Clarets, with the Dons finishing runners-up in the Scottish Premiership for four successive seasons.

But Alexander, now manager at Salford City, believes the Turf moor boss will be determined to leave a mark on Europe.

"If I know anything about Sean, he'll want to make his mark in Europe as well," he told BBC Scotland. "He'll be taking it ultra-serious and it'll be a tough fixture."

Burnley travel to Pittodrie on Thursday, July 26, before the second leg takes place at Turf Moor on Thursday, August 2.

The winners will progress to the third qualifying round and a step closer to the Europa League group stage and while Alexander is expecting a fierce encounter he believes Burnley will emerge victorious.

"You know what England-Scotland games are like - it is always going to be competitive and aggressive," he said.

"But, over the two legs, personally I would expect Burnley to do the business."

Alexander had left Turf Moor before Dyche was appointed manager in October 2012, but the two men played together briefly at Luton Town.

"I speak with Sean every now and then - I played with him in our younger days - and what he's achieved in the five years he's been there is amazing," Alexander said.

"Last season took everyone by surprise - even himself I think - getting into the European positions.

"It's a monster now, that league, with the finances involved. I see Burnley are linked with a £12-15m move for Jay Rodriguez, who was there as a young kid of 18-19 when I was there.

"He went away and had a great career and now they are buying him back for massive money and that's the way the Premier League's gone. They can shop away for the best.

"Burnley know that they are not going to get the top Premier League players, but they are still going to get a fantastic group of players and what they did last season was unbelievable."