MANAGER Owen Coyle emphasised pre-season is not about winning or losing ahead the Clarets' game at Bradford City ended 2-1 to the Bantams.

“I don’t like losing any game, but it’s the first game of pre-season and really it’s just about getting fitness," Coyle said.

"We changed it about to protect one or two injuries, now we move on and get ready for Tuesday,” said Coyle ahead of tomorrow’s friendly at Morecambe, where he will again field almost entirely different sides for the first and second half.

“The lads have had less than a week's training under their belt before the game.

"We wanted a couple of games before going to the States, and that’s what it was designed for.”

Tyrone Mears, Coyle’s first signing since winning promotion to the Premier League, played just over an hour on Saturday, and assured supporters there is plenty more to come from him, and the rest of the squad, as pre-season progresses.

“I think the lads worked quite hard. Obviously it wasn’t the result we were looking for but it's all about fitness and getting your legs,” he said.

“Personally, I felt horrible before I came into the game; I was really tired, but that’s what the gaffer wants.

"He wants us working really hard. We've got a day now to recover and train again today, and the game against Morecambe tomorrow.

“There was a lot of sloppy stuff in the game, a few passes were going astray, and positioning, but that will come as we get closer to the beginning of the season.

"The lads will get used to playing with each other again.

“But the lads worked hard, and that's the main thing. Hopefully the quality will come afterwards.”