MATT Lowton believes no Europa League this season for Burnley means they can prepare better for the Premier League campaign that lies ahead.

The right-back started in Burnley's 2-0 win over Serie A side Parma in what was their final pre-season friendly before Saturday's big kick off at home to Southampton.

Lowton highlighted the depth his manager has at his disposal, and added how Sean Dyche has some key decisions to make ahead of Saturday.

"We've had a good pre-season this time,"said Lowton.

"The Europa League had its ups and downs last time and got in the way a little bit of getting ready for the Premier League.

"But this time we've had a good five or six weeks of hard work, making sure we've got the right balance of work and rest, and now we're ready to go.

"We're very optimistic. The lads are fit and raring to go and the depth is there. Anyone who gets picked next week will be ready to go and we're looking forward to a good season."

The Clarets faced French side Nice on Tuesday night and ran out convincing 6-1 victors, Lowton knows his manager has decisions to make this season on who will get the starting spots.

"In the week we ran all over Nice and showed what we can do," added Lowton, who will battle Phil Bardsley for the right-back spot in the Burnley back line.

"Today was a different game and they were a lot more stubborn and hard to break down but we kept going, dug in and got our goals in the end and it was a great win to finish.

"Everyone has been bang on it in pre-season and it showed with the two mixed teams he played in the week and today that we have a lot of depth in the squad.

"The manager has got big decisions to make, but it's good for the whole season that we've got that cover in every position."