AEK beat Romanian side Unirea Urziceni 2-0 on Tuesday at their Austrian training base. Burns played half a game and says he's making good progress.

Burns, who signed a four-year deal with the club in 2008, has just returned to AEK after a season loan in the Greek second division with Corfu.

After playing 31 games at the newly promoted club, he believes he has a better chance of playing regularly in the AEK first team this season.

"It was good. We did double sessions every day, usually running in the morning and football in the afternoon," Burns told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"We played a friendly and beat a Romanian side 2-0.  Last season I didn't feel like I'd play and this year I'm in a lot better condition and honestly I wouldn't stay here if I didn't think I'd play."

Burns added that Algerian World Cup player Rafik Djebbour was being rested from the early part of pre-season but should be with the team in Sydney.

The club head back to Athens in the next few days before leaving to take part in the Sydney tournament featuring Blackburn Rovers, Glasgow Rangers and Sydney FC starting on July 25.

AEK open the tournament with a clash against A-League champions Sydney FC at the SFS, a ground Burns has fond memories.

"I've scored a couple of times [at the SFS] with a couple of assists too," he said. "And I think I've come away with a victory probably two out of three times as I remember.

"Obviously I played for Adelaide there but Sydney is my hometown city. It's always good playing in front of all my schoolmates and other family and friends."

For the full interview with Burns as well as interviews with Nick Carle, Kyle Laffterty of Glasgow Rangers and Brett Emerton, purchase the official tour match day program on the day.

For more info, log onto www.sydneyfestivaloffootball.com.au.