STEVE Jones struck a sizzling four-goal salvo to get Burnley's Italian job off to a flier.

The Clarets made easy work of a Verona select side who could not live with Steve Cotterill's men.

Six of Burnley's seven goals came from the frontmen, with Kyle Lafferty and Andy Gray grabbing one apiece to add to Jones' collection.

In a heatwave first-half almost unbearable for players, Jones showed icy-cool temperament to fire home two goals, before adding a couple more after the break.

The rout provided good cheer for about 150 Burnley fans that turned up at the club's Sport Hotel Veronello training base in Lake Garda.

But for all the goals, the loudest cheer of the day came when Danny Coyne replaced Brian Jensen midway through the second-half.

It was the Welsh goalkeeper's first Clarets appearance since suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury against Brighton last September. His return represented another major bonus for boss Cotterill.

With the exception of injured Danny Karbassiyoon - and transfer-listed Gifton Noel-Williams, who refused to travel to Italy - Cotterill gave all of his squad members a run-out.

The Italian opponents, from the Verona region and donning Calgiari-style red and navy blue colours, were the equivalent of an English Conference outfit.

And within four minutes, Burnley demonstrated the gulf in class between the two sides with a terrific opening goal.

Wade Elliott, a tormentor to the Italians in the first-half, came in off the right wing to feed Gray inside the penalty box.

Gray neatly flicked to partner Jones and the former Crewe striker did the rest, crisply slotting home from eight yards.

Jones then looked to have doubled his tally when netting from Alan Mahon's threaded pass, but an offside flag denied him a second.

At the other end, Jensen was enjoying a trouble-free evening as the Italians very rarely threatened in the final third.

Jones added to his opener on 32 minutes following a great piece of individual skill.

After being picked out by Elliott, Jones slalomed two defenders before crashing his shot in off the crossbar.

He was within a whisker of bagging a hat-trick moments later, but goalkeeper Gambin held his header from eight yards.

Gambin excelled again, tipping Andy Gray's left foot blaster over, while Steve Foster saw a powerful header saved.

Cooler conditions in the second-half made life far more comfortable for the Clarets.

Seven interval changes were made and, within eight minutes, Gray converted his third pre-season goal, side-footing home Lafferty's low cross.

The difference in fitness became ever-so-apparent as Burnley flooded forward for more against the flagging Italians.

Lafferty lay claim to the evening's most stunning goal, chesting down Graham Branch's ball before turning and unleashing a half-volley into the top corner.

After being withdrawn at half-time, Jones re-entered the field of play on 70 minutes to complete his hat-trick. Racing through on goal, the pacy forward again showed good composure to side-foot home.

Burnley waited only five more minutes for their sixth, full-back Cristofoli putting Duane Courtney's low cross into his own net as Lafferty waited to pounce.

Jones completed the scoring three minutes from time, driving home from 25 yards.

Burnley, first-half: Jensen, Sinclair, Harley, Foster, Thomas, McCann, O'Connor J, Mahon, Gray, Jones, Elliott.

Second-half: Jensen (Coyne 70), Duff, Harley (McCann 70), McGreal, Thomas (Courtney 65), Spicer, O'Connor G, Branch, Gray (Mahon 56, Jones 70), Lafferty, Hyde.

Goals: Jones (4 mins); Jones (32 mins); Gray (52 mins); Lafferty (66 mins); Jones (70 mins); Cristofoli O.G (75 mins); Jones (87 mins).