Malky Mackay has admitted that the city of Cardiff are "desperate" for the Premier League season to get underway.

Cardiff were promoted as winners of the Championship and Mackay believes that his side are fully prepared for their first campaign in England's elite league.

"People are desperately looking forward to the season starting. To have Premier League football coming is fantastic," Mackay told reporters.

"We just want to be competitive, we're going to be organised, fit and disciplined and we deserve to be there. It's unforgiving and it will be tough because the fans have been used to winning for two years."

The 41-year-old conceded that the highlight of his side's season could be the Welsh derbies against rivals Swansea City, who are preparing for their third Premier League campaign.

"Everyone here has been talking about the Swansea game and that will be a fantastic occasion on both games."

Cardiff begin their season with a trip to London to face West Ham United tomorrow afternoon.