JAY Rodriguez insists the tough graft in pre-season has been put in and he is now ready to kick off life back in the Premier League.

Burnley re-signed the striker in the summer transfer window after he was sold to Southampton back in 2012.

Rodriguez couldn't believe the changes made at the club, including the new training ground, when he arrived back in East Lancashire.

"The hard work has been done now, pre-season has been tough, you're always looking for that first game and it's coming," said Rodriguez.

"Everybody is ready to go and the excitement starts.

"It's a fresh start and I've always said that the Premier League is the best league in the world.

"To be a part of that is an honour and I just can't wait to get started. I've met all the new lads and I feel a part of it. I just can't wait to get going.

Burnley kick start their season today against Southampton at Turf Moor, Rodriguez believes there isn't an easy game in the Premier League.

"You always want to go in to the first game and get three points.

"Southampton are a great side, they play really good football and they've got great players.

"We know it's going to be a tough one, but we've got to look at ourselves and how we put the work we've done in to play for 90 minutes. "It's all about us and we'll be prepared.

"When you look at every fixture in the Premier League there's not one easy game.

"We've just got to focus on ourselves and what we can achieve and do. You just get excited when you see the teams in front of you and you want to make the most of it."

Everything has changed at Burnley since Rodriguez last played for the club, the striker admits it's a joy to come to work.

"It's changed totally. It's massively changed. I spent my first week in Portugal, which was a really good facility, so I was excited to come here," he said.

"I didn't realise how much it had changed. The changing room now is probably the same size as the whole building we used to use when I was here.

"The facilities are top quality and you come in every day feeling as though you can do everything you want to improve as a player and recover. It's a joy to come in."

The quality of the squad Sean Dyche has at his disposal has impressed the 30-year-old.

"What I've seen when being a part of pre-season is the quality and the hard work that the lads put in," added Rodriguez.

"Everything is set up perfectly and there's no limit at times to what we can do. I think we've done really well in the games we've played.

"I've definitely been impressed with the quality and the standard of training.

"I'm really excited to be a part of it and coming in every day gives me joy and I feel like I'm improving every day."