ANDRE Gray believes he has returned for pre-season training fitter than ever after a chat with Sean Dyche at the end of last term.

Last season’s top scorer has hit the ground running in pre-season, scoring against Stade Nyonnais and Morecambe.

The former non-league hotshot rattled in 23 goals as the Clarets stormed to the Championship title last term, with his two for Brentford before his £6million move meaning he ended the season as the league’s top scorer.

Gray arrived at Turf Moor late in August last season, meaning he missed out on a pre-season with Burnley and Dyche, who demands high fitness levels of his players.

Having been through three weeks of pre-season now, the 25-year-old is already feeling the benefits.

“I’m good and it’s probably the fittest I’ve ever been in pre-season,” said Gray. “I feel like I’m getting stronger and stronger.

“It’s not all about fitness in the Premier League but it stands you in good stead and I feel like I’m the fittest I’ve been throughout my career. Hopefully that can help me.”

Two years ago Burnley out-ran almost all of their Premier League opponents and Dyche was delighted with fitness levels again last season, particularly towards the end of a gruelling Championship campaign.

But despite his success in front of goal last year, Gray accepts he could have been fitter and he believes his new regime could help his style of play.

“Fitness doesn’t guarantee you anything but it’s a big stepping stone,” he said. “The level is completely different up there so we need to be fitter than what we were last season.

“Hopefully I can keep getting fitter. It’s a good start.

“The gaffer told me that I need to come back fit and I admitted that I could be fitter with the way I play.

“I’m an explosive player so if I can keep doing that throughout the whole game then it can only help me.

“We’re all flying and we’re all doing well throughout our fitness programmes. We’re a fit team and I’m sure that will show again next season.”

Gray will be looking to make it three in three in pre-season at Bradford today. But while he is happy to be finding the back of the net, he isn’t too concerned with his form on the pitch during Burnley’s six pre-season friendlies.

“I always want to score whether it’s a friendly or in training,” he said. “It’s a good habit but obviously these don’t mean anything.

“I’m getting that feeling back, I’ve got two now, but it’s all about match fitness and getting ready for the Premier League.

“I’ve gone seasons where I haven’t scored in pre-season and gone on to score 30 in non league so I don’t really see it as anything.

“It’s just something I always want to do really. I always want to score goals.”

Burnley continue their pre-season programme with a trip to Bradford this afternoon (3pm).