BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill believes tomorrow's curtain-raiser against Sheffield United will be a timely benchmark for the season.

The Clarets begin life under Cotterill with a tasty Turf Moor opener against Neil Warnock's Blades in the newly-named Coca Cola Championship.

And ahead of his first competitive match in charge, Cotterill accepts the Yorkshire side will be a litmus test for all he has achieved so far - and a sign of things to come!

He said: "We need a game sooner, rather than later to see where we are. This game is everything we have been preparing for and I don't quite know what to expect.

"Don't forget it's a new team with new players and I don't quite know what to expect from them until the nitty gritty starts. Only then do you start discovering things.

"Sheffield United are a good side with a big squad full of good players and a manager who knows his way around the division.

"It will be a tough game, but it's one we look forward to because it is something of a benchmark for the team.

"If we win though, we won't be shouting from the rooftops, just like we won't be lying in the gutter if we lose. We will try to keep a level head on whatever happens."

Cotterill has just one injury concern - understandably being kept under wraps ahead of a crucial opening fixture.

And he knows keeping one of the smallest squads in the First Division up and running is the key to relative 'success' during a long, hard season.

He added: "The players have given everything so far and we only have maybe one slight niggle, but the squad are okay and hopefully that will stay the case because they'll need to stay fit.

"We've got to make sure we look after them, make sure we train them right so they are nice and fit.

"We've got to make sure we look after their recovery periods in the meantime and make sure

they look after themselves so we can get them out on the pitch every week.

"We know that's going to be tough, but I don't know any other way round that at the moment."

Burnley start the season as many tipsters favourites for a relegation battle.

And although Cotterill refuses to join in the debate, he promised supporters a team that will give their all at the start of a new era for Burnley football club.

"Everybody seemed to be selecting us to finish 21st at the weekend, but it's for other people to say that," he insisted.

"I wouldn't say anything about what success would be for Burnley for simple reasons. I know what I would like to do, but I wouldn't want to make any rash statements on what we could do or couldn't do this season.

"I just think that players have enough pressure on them when they go across the white line anyway, and silly comments from the manager might not help them!

"There's also no point talking about other teams without naming names because it's unfair on their managers.

"Everybody knows what's all been written about squads in the division; the ins and outs, who's got what and who hasn't.

"Ours has been largely the latter, but what we have got is a small squad of lads who will go on the field every week and give their all.

"I can't ask for more than that."