BURNLEY can wrap up their pre-season programme in style tonight with victory over US Alense (6pm).

The Clarets take on the Italian outfit at their Lake Garda training base before flying back to England tomorrow afternoon.

So far, Steve Cotterill's side are unbeaten in pre-season, after beating Accrington Stanley 3-2, drawing 0-0 at Bury and overcoming Bolton 2-1.

And on Tuesday evening, striker Steve Jones blasted four goals as the Clarets cruised to a comfortable 7-0 win against a Selectione Verona XI.

Very little is known about Alense, a side situated below Italy's Serie D level, although they are expected to provide a better test.

Whatever the outcome, Burnley boss Cotterill insists the six-day trip will prove worthwhile in terms of improving squad togetherness.

"You get a bit of team-bonding by lads being away and being with each other morning, noon and night," explained Cotterill.

"I don't actually think that bonding comes while you're here.

"It's when you leave each other, when you go back home and then find you miss your team-mates a little bit.

"When you get a day away and you come back into training, you look forward to being back with them again.

"The team-bonding only starts really when you're here, and it goes on throughout the season.

"Obviously, that sort of thing is important for us, important enough for us to spend a few bob coming away in pre-season, and a few bob in the New Year."

Tonight's clash provides a last opportunity for players to stake their selection claims before Burnley kick-off their championship season against QPR at Turf Moor next Saturday.

Cotterill was satisfied with his side's finishing against the Verona select side, his only disappointment being a lack of quality crossing in the final third.

While former Crewe man Jones bagged four goals, fellow strikers Andy Gray and Kyle Lafferty also hit the scoresheet.

Lafferty's finish was the pick of the bunch, chesting down Graham Branch's delivery before unleashing a half-volley into the top corner.