STEVE Cotterill today warned that Carlisle will be no Carling Cup pushovers.
Burnley have been paired with the Cumbrians in a first round clash at Turf Moor just three weeks into the new season.
By then, Carlisle will still be riding the feelgood factor after winning promotion back into the Football League last season through the Nationwide Conference play offs.
And Cotterill, who achieved a similar feat by steering non-league Cheltenham Town into the league and becoming a legend at Whaddon Road, knows the Clarets face a difficult task to reach the second round, when the 12 Premiership clubs not competing in Europe enter the competition.
"Obviously we are pleased with a home draw. But having said that, it is not a game we will be taking lightly," insisted Cotterill.
"The manager there, Paul Simpson, has done a cracking job taking them back into the Football League.
"I have a lot of experience from Cheltenham of how difficult it is to get a club out of the Conference, so I know they will have a good spirit because of what they achieved last season.
"I also know a few of their boys, so I know it is going to be a very difficult game."
Burnley's opening month of the 2005/06 season has now taken shape. The Clarets kick off the Championship campaign with a trip to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, August 6, following that with two home games ina week against Sheffield United and Coventry City.
Watford are the next opponents at Vicarage Road on Saturday, August 20, before Carlisle visit Turf Moor in the week commencing Monday 22nd.
August is rounded off with a home game against Derby County on Saturday 27 and a trip to Reading two days later, although the Bank Holiday Monday game is subject to change due to the Reading Festival taking place over that weekend.
Meanwhile, the Clarets have already had two fixtures changed after Sky Television yesterday released the first batch of Championship games to be screened live.
The Clarets' trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers - a traditional graveyard - has been moved forward from its original Saturday slot on October 1. The game will now kick off on Friday, September 30 at 7.45pm.
The Sky cameras have also been lined up for an early season visit to Turf Moor, when newly-promoted Hull City make up the opponents.
The Tigers were due to face the Clarets on Saturday, October 29, but once again this game will now kick off the previous evening at 7.45pm.
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