Burnley manager Owen Coyle believes Graham Alexander will have a vital role to play in the Barclays Premier League next season.

Alexander has signed a new one-year deal at Turf Moor which will take him beyond his 38th birthday.

Coyle said: "We believe our young players can evolve and get better, allied to our older heads keeping them right. They have shown as well what they can do and how to perform."

It his his reward after an outstanding season in which he played 61 games, culminating in the play-off final victory against Sheffield United at Wembley.

He weighed in with 11 goals as the club returned to the top flight for the first time in 33 years.

What the Clarets lack is big-match experience and that according to Coyle - who recently signed a two-year extension to his contract - is where Alexander comes in.

Coyle added: "So I am excited that the likes of Graham Alexander, Robbie Blake, Steven Caldwell and Wade Elliott now have the chance to pit their wits against some of the top players in world football."

Burnley open their campaign on August 15 against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

Coyle added: "We have to be ready for the pace and power of the Premier League. That is why our pre-season preparation has to be right.

"We are singing from the same hymn sheet as we know how important the club is to the town. We have to try and maintain the same home record we had last year when Turf Moor became a fortress. "