BURNLEY new boy Luke Chadwick will miss the start of the new season as a safety precaution.

The tricky winger, who last week signed on a year-long loan from Manchester United, underwent the second of two operations on his jaw this summer.

And Clarets boss Stan Ternent has exclusively revealed Chadwick will not be in his plans for any of the pre-season games, or the opening First Division fixture at Turf Moor against Crystal Palace on August 9.

Ternent explained: "Luke has had an operation on his jaw as part of a two-year treatment.

"Last year he had some work done and more this year - and he might not be able to play until September.

"It depends on the specialist and although we've been told he can take part in knock-abouts, as soon as there is contact we have to stop.

"He won't start the season that's for sure, but I knew that when I signed him. He is fit enough to play, but he won't be ready."

The shock news means Chadwick must sit out the entire tour to the Isle of Man, when Burnley face Blackpool on Sunday, Wrexham 48 hours later and a third opponent later next week.

The youngster will also be unavailable for the high-profile Turf Moor friendlies against Leeds and Birmingham and the short trip to Accrington Stanley on July 30.

Chadwick is still able to perform all the usual exercises to build up his all-round fitness for the long slog ahead.

But the 22-year-old wide man admits it is match fitness that could be his Achilles heel when the first ball is kicked in anger.

Chadwick added: "I think I can start playing again on August 7 and the season starts on the 9th, so I'll have to see if I'm match fit.

"I'm not going to have any games before then to see how fit I really am. The specialist has said I will be okay to play by then because it takes eight weeks for the bone to heal.

"That takes me to the seventh, which is right up to the wire, so we'll have to see how things look then."

While Chadwick kicks his heels, the Clarets plan to step up their pre-season with a behind-closed-doors game at Bolton today.

Trotters boss Sam Allardyce, an old friend of Ternent, has put his expensively-assembled first team squad at Burnley's disposal.

And Ternent - already with Richard Edghill and Amjad Iqbal on board - will run the rule over more mystery trialists as he finalises his squad for Saturday's trip to the Isle of Man.