BURNLEY captain Steven Caldwell believes supporters are right to be excited by the summer transfer activity.

Three of Owen Coyle’s four signings so far have joined the Clarets as relative unknowns.

Teenage midfielder Kevin McDonald, experienced left back Christian Kalvenes and goalkeeper Diego Penny have built up strong reputations within the leagues they have just left.

And although Burnley captain Caldwell has yet to meet Penny, who will join up with the squad next week on their tour of America, he has it on good authority that Scottish exiles McDonald, 19, and Kalvenes, 31, can shine in the Championship.

“Kevin is a well thought of player in Scotland. I’ve not had the pleasure of seeing him play but big things have been said about him,” said Caldwell.

“Christian was probably the best left back in Scotland last year, by all accounts.

“And I’m looking forward to meeting up with the goalkeeper in America.”

Martin Paterson, meanwhile, was already well-known to Burnley when he became Coyle’s first permanent signing less than two weeks ago.

The potential £1.3million record-breaking capture scored the opening goal in a 2-0 defeat for the Clarets at Scunthorpe last season, and went on to add a further 12 league goals after that.

“I haven’t played against him but I know what he can do and he is a very good striker,” Caldwell continued.

“He has got the experience and he has played a lot of football.

“It’s hard to believe he’s only 21.”

And Caldwell is confident all the squad will benefit from going away together on the tour of America next week.

The squad jets off on Tuesday to play United Soccer Leagues sides Carolina RailHawks and Minnesota Thunder on an eight-day trip.

“I think it’s a fantastic place to go on pre-season. I’ve been lucky enough to go there two or three times in the past with different clubs.

“The facilities and weather and everything that comes with being in America - it’s a fantastic place for British teams to go and spend a week or two in pre-season.

“It’s a good time to bond and play some games, get some shape and get ready for the season coming.

“With the game on July 10, it’s obviously part of warming up for the season and results aren’t that important, but we are competitive and want to win every game we play, so hopefully we will be ready and do ourselves justice in the first game.”

And the 27-year-old insists the players aren’t fazed by a packed pre-season campaign that includes two games in America, three in Scotland, trips to Accrington Stanley, Glentoran and Bradford City, before rounding off with a home friendly against SPL outfit Inverness Caledonian Thistle on August 2.

“It will be fantastic. I’m sure most of the lads will tell you they would rather play games than run because it’s a quicker way to get match-fit anyway,” he said.

“You’re a little bit anxious coming back (to training) but once you get into the running you start to get used to it.

“The hard work has to be done, we’re all aware of that.

“It’s going really well and we’re looking forward to getting away together in a few days’ time.

“Training’s been really good so far – the lads look really fit and that’s a positive.

“The manager seems happy with how everyone’s come back, so we can push on to getting the balls out and playing football quicker.”