THE season may have only just ended but work has already begun on the Ewood Park pitch in preparation for the 2008/09 campaign.

Work commenced on Tuesday in laying a new irrigation system under the hallowed turf, with the digging of trenches around and across the pitch allowing new pipes to be laid.

Once the new sprinkler system is installed, then the rest of the pitch will be removed and new seed sown well in advance of the new season that starts August 16th.