CHRIS McCann is determined to battle his way back to full fitness and make up for the season he lost.

The energetic midfielder has interrupted his summer break to put in the hard yards after missing most of Burnley’s Premier League campaign with two long-term knee injuries.

Dubliner McCann was a key figure in the Clarets’ play-off winning success – contributing six league goals – and was tipped to star in the top flight last term until he was dealt the bitter blow of medial knee ligament damage in September.

The injury healed itself, without the need for surgery, but the 22-year-old’s comeback was short lived as he suffered a separate knee problem in the New Year, which ultimately required an operation to fix in April.

But McCann, who played his last senior game at Bolton on January 26, is determined to put the disappointment behind him and play his part in helping the Clarets achieve promotion again, in what is the last year of his current contract.

“It’s going to be an exciting time,” said the Republic of Ireland Under 19 international, who came through Burnley’s youth ranks after being scouted at Dublin club Home Farm.

“The gaffer has brought some new boys in and a few of the lads have signed new deals, and hopefully we can bounce back at the first time of asking.

“Everybody is confident in the team and the manager and I’m sure we will do well.”

And McCann revealed he is working hard to make sure he is fighting fit for the rigours of the Championship.

“I was given a programme of some things to do by the physio and medical staff, which I have been keeping up with for knee strengthening,” he explained.

“I also need to catch up with a couple of the other lads with a bit of fitness after being out for so long, so while I have been taking it easy while I can, I’ve also been hitting the gym pretty hard most days to be ready for pre-season.

“I haven’t had any problems. I have been resting and doing a lot of weights and the knee has responded well. I’m looking forward to having a game of football.

“You don’t realise what you have until it’s gone and some people take it for granted.

“When you have an injury like that it makes you want to get back even more. The hard slog of pre-season is part and parcel of it all and I’m looking forward to coming back.”