BURNLEY'S squad have had to approach pre-season with a slightly different mindset this summer as they prepare for an earlier than normal return to competitive action.

The Clarets returned to pre-season at the Barnfield Training Centre on Monday, but it is already less than three weeks until the first leg of their Europa League second qualifying round clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Normally there is a much longer build-up to the first competitive game of the season, but Burnley's success in reaching Europe means their schedule starts earlier than ever, with the first leg against Aberdeen on Thursday, July 26 and the return leg at Turf Moor a week later.

The Dons have been back in pre-season for just over a week longer than Burnley and Vokes said the footballs were coming out earlier than ever at Barnfield as the Clarets look to get up to speed for their European assault.

"It comes around quickly. We normally have a five or six-week pre-season before the first competitive game, but it’s almost halved this pre-season," the Wales international striker said.

"It’s important to get used to the ball and back familiar to football and 11-v-11 stuff quite early, as well as doing the hard work and the graft in the running to get the fitness levels up.

"It’s changed the mindset, you normally get 45 minutes and 60 minutes in games and build it up, but now it’s important to get some minutes in ahead of the game.

"We’ve got a few friendlies before that so I’m sure the lads will get the minutes they need under their belt."

The first friendly sees the Clarets face Cork City a week today, at the end of a week-long training camp in the south of Ireland.

But this week has been spent at Barnfield, with the sweltering temperatures an added challenge for Dyche's squad as the country continues to bake in a heatwave.

"It’s been good, we came back in Monday, we did a bit of fitness then it’s back on the pitches," said Vokes.

"It’s been quite warm so it’s been testing but it’s been a good week so far.

"It’s always tough this time of year, but the lads have come back in good shape.

"It’s good to be outside and getting back on the ball, with the hard work in there as well with the runs. It’s part of getting that graft in before the games start."

Vokes' season ended with a 45 minute run-out for Wales against Mexico at the Rose Bowl in California on May 29 and the 28-year-old has enjoyed a brief summer break before returning to club duty.

"Summer always seems to go quick, but it’s always good to get back in the dressing room with the boys and crack on and look forward to a new season," he said.