Burton Albion midfielder Matty Lund has described the feeling of pulling on a Brewers jersey in the Championship as an "honour" as the 2017/18 Championship season kick-off nears.

Lund, Albion's first summer signing way back in May, has had to do his fair share of waiting this summer - joining not long after the end of the season but then having to wait for his contract to expire in July to join up with his new club.

And for the 26-year-old, it is a real feather in his cap, even for someone who has had the honour of pulling on the national team jersey of Northern Ireland.

It's a real baptism of fire for Lund this weekend, with the former Stoke City man yet to taste life above the third tier of English football.

Matty Lund strikes a free-kick goalwards

He can't deny that he tried his best with Rochdale, firing them to League Two promotion in his first of four seasons at Spotland.

Two injury hit seasons followed that first promotion success, but then Lund recovered and established himself as a regular again in a Dale side that mounted another promotion push.

Notching 10 goals in 35 appearances from midfield, his side ultimately fell short of the League One play-offs, finishing in eighth place – and then Lund decided that it was time for him to try and test himself against the big boys, opting for a move to the second-tier in order to try and cement a more regular spot with Northern Ireland.

And now he has his chance, and it sounds like he can't wait to finally get a competitive game in a Brewers shirt under his belt.

Matty Lund in action for Burton Albion
Matty Lund in action for Burton Albion

But Lund, as was boss Nigel Clough - was under no illusions as to how difficult this season is going to be both for himself and the Brewers.

Not that he hasn't shown what he can offer - having notched three goals in pre-season from midfield, with those late runs into the box offering the Brewers another threat from that already-dynamic midfield.

Versatility is also something that Lund can offer Clough - with the former Crewe Alexandra man also having filled in at right-wing back in pre-season, neutralising the Leicester threat of Ben Chilwell and Ahmed Musa in Tuesday night's 2-1 success over the former Premier League champions

"I can't wait," said a beaming Lund.

Matty Lund in action for Burton Albion
Matty Lund in action for Burton Albion

"It'll be my first game playing in the Championship.

"It's a big honour for me to play in this league, and I've look forward to it for a long time.

"Especially with my family and friends (being there) - it's great.

"I'm really looking forward to the game - it's going to be tough.

"They're (Cardiff) a good side - I suppose there’s no easy games in this league so we've got to go in with the mentality that we've got to do well at home and pick up the points that we need to at home.

"It’s a big achievement for me.

"I'm really looking forward to it. It’s definitely up there for me.

"It' something I've been waiting for a long time, so like I say, it's a proud moment for me - I've just got to prove that I’m good enough to play at this standard - which we'll see."