MOST footballers will do some kind of fitness work during the summer in a bid to return to pre-season training as sharp as they can.

But Burnley new boy Jeff Hendrick took an unconventional approach when he decided to hit the gym.

The 24-year-old had a well-earned break after his Euro 2016 heroics with Republic of Ireland, but when he returned home he decided to get some training in. So he called on his brother who coaches Mixed Martial Arts fighter Paul Redmond.

Redmond, 29, a former UFC fighter who is now contracted to rival organisation BAMMA, trains in Dublin, and Hendrick - then still with Derby County - decided to join him for a couple of sessions as he looked to stay in shape before returning to action.

While steering clear of any action in the ring, Hendrick was impressed with the level of fitness he saw.

“When I was back home, I had a little holiday after the Euros and then I was back home for a few days, I fancied doing a bit of training so I joined in with a few of the boys,” he said.

“It was enjoyable, they’re great lads, I had a bit of lunch with them after and it was interesting to see the way they train as well.

“It was more strength training, a bit of weights and some running. It was tough, they do that three times a week in the mornings and then they go and do the martial arts in the evening, so they do work hard.

“There was no sparring. I wouldn’t trust myself - I wouldn’t be here today if I had!”

Hendrick was clearly in good shape while in France with Martin O’Neill’s side, impressing in Ireland’s run to the last 16.

While he has taken confidence from his accomplished performances on the international stage, he is now determined to prove himself at the highest level domestically.

“I had a good tournament with Ireland I feel, but that’s done with now,” he said. “I can look back and take confidence from it, but this is a new challenge for me in the Premier League and I’ve got to prove myself all over again every week.”

Hendrick was close to scoring for Ireland on a couple of occasions during the European Championships, but he finally broke his duck during the last international break, netting the opener in a 2-2 draw with Serbia. Having scored 26 goals in 214 games for the Rams, he is keen to bring his goalscoring touch to Turf Moor.

“I’ve been waiting a while. I’ve had a number of assists and a few chances and I came close in the summer,” he said of the Serbia strike.

“It was nice to get the goal and get off the mark, but now I’ve got to try and continue that and score a few more throughout the campaign and help Ireland qualify.

“You can’t just rely on strikers to score, you need to chip in and that’s what I’ll try and do.”