Revitalised defender Andre Bikey has been sweating for the cause as he looks to provide the bedrock of a promotion push at Turf Moor.
Bikey has been one of the stand-out performers in the Clarets' opening two games after reclaiming a central defensive berth.
And the Cameroon international revealed that getting the nod from boss Brian Laws to start the campaign has been the reward for knuckling down since putting up a pound or two overweight on his return to pre-season training.
"I had to lose some weight when I came back into pre-season," admitted Bikey, who has been putting in extra sessions in the gym.
"I had to lose a minimum of five kilos. I have lost three so I need to lose two or three more to be perfect and get my fitness right.
"I am happy because I can do what I want when I play. The only thing I want is to get my full fitness ready and try and give the performances everyone expects of me."
So far so good
Bikey joined the Clarets from Reading last summer with a big reputation but suffered a frustrating 12 months as former boss Owen Coyle unsuccessfully deployed him in midfield and his form tailed off.
And the 25-year-old admits he has drawn a veil over Burnley's ultimately unsuccessful stint in the top flight.
"I don't want to speak about last year," Bikey told Clarets Player. "It's a new year now. We are in the Championship and we have to accept that situation and forget what happened last year.
"The good thing is that we have kept the same team. We have only lost two or three players and we have got Premier League players."
Defensive strongman
The unbeaten Clarets need to make that pedigree count and having been restored to his favoured position, Bikey is ready to play his part in the attempt to regain Premier League status.
"It's always nice when you play where you want and from the first two games I think they have been good performances from me and the team," he added.
"We won at home and drawn away, which is a positive aspect.
"Right now the motivation is really high and we know that we have a team to come back to the Premier League.
"If everybody is focused and all the players keep their concentration I am sure that we can go back into the Premier League."
For the full, exclusive interview with Andre, as well as an in-depth chat with Brian Laws and a stroll through the legends' lounges at Turf Moor, watch our special magazine show on BFCTV on Clarets Player tonight.
