IT may only be the start of pre-season, but Clarets winger Wade Elliott has already signalled his intent for the coming campaign.

And last year's player-of-the-season has no intention of resting on his laurels.

The 28-year-old was at his best against Middlesbrough on Saturday, orchestrating the Clarets attack from wide on the left and terrorising his Premiership opponents.

It's just under two weeks since Steve Cotterill marshalled his troops for the season ahead, but Elliott believes they are already starting to reap the rewards.

And he was confident they would be ready to fly out the traps come the visit of West Brom on the opening day of the new season.

He said: "Pre-season has been really hard, but then again it always is.

"The best way to get through it is through camaraderie and pushing each other on.

"Deep down everyone knows it has to be done and what a help it is come the start of the season.

"Last season was tough, but we had a great start and I think our fitness was very much the foundation for the good start we made.

"It's a great advantage knowing you are fitter than the guy you are playing against and the lads were all thankful for the work we put in when we were up near the top of the league.

"I think we've given ourselves every chance again this year."

The Clarets have added four new players to their squad in Gabor Kiraly, Besart Berisha, Robbie Blake and Stephen Jordan.

After warm-up matches against Wrexham and Boro, Elliott admitted he had seen enough to convince himself that the quartet will be a big hit at Turf Moor.

And with Bradford tonight and Leeds United on Saturday, he is sure they will only get better.

He added: "The squad is stronger than it was last season and we had a couple of lads who arrived in January who will have had time to bed in now.

"Besart Berisha looks like he will be a good addition.

"A few of the lads saw him over the summer when he played in the England international at Turf Moor and from what I've seen already, he will be a good addition.

"All the players here are a sociable bunch and I am sure they will fit in well."