DRISSA Diallo only needs to look back to his wedding day to remind him of Burnley.

There on the pictures, alongside the bride and groom, is the trademark grin that belongs to 'best man' Mo Camara.

The two Guineans have been firm friends for a decade - and Camara was proud to accept an invitation to be a VIP guest when Diallo walked up the aisle in his homeland last summer.

But Camara also had a surprise wedding gift for his old friend, whose packed summer schedule also involved the small matter of moving from Turf Moor to Portman Road.

Diallo explained: "Stan Ternent is a top man in my book. Not only did he give Mo permission to join up late for pre-season training so that he could be at my wedding, but he sent a lovely card wishing us the best.

"He gave me my chance in England and I would have loved to have signed for him last summer, but Burnley were not in a position to do so financially.

"Stan had offered me and Graham Branch contracts, but told me he needed to clear it with the chairman first and I did not hear back.

"Stan knew I could not wait any longer and Ipswich had made me a good offer which I accepted.

"He was upset but knew the situation and knew it was not really my fault. Stan showed he held no grudges, first by the card and then when Burnley played at Portman Road earlier this season, when he invited me into the dressing room before the game so I could say hello to the lads."

It seems unlikely Diallo will be allowed to perform similar pleasantries at Turf Moor tomorrow.

The Guinean, who missed the Portman Road clash with knee ligament damage, could well be in direct opposition to Camara and Co after slotting into the right back role in recent weeks.

And he knows full well that Ternent and his troops will still be smarting from the humiliation handed out at Portman Road back in October.

Diallo, 31, said: "I still speak to Mo two or three times a week and I was on the phone with him a couple of days ago.

"He told me how motivated Burnley are to show they are a better side than that 6-1 game.

"We know they will be motivated, especially after the defeat they suffered here. But it is vital we get three points to keep us in the play-off zone and to give us the confidence to get on a long run."

It seems irrelevant now to recall that, had Diallo not impressed on his Burnley debut against Ipswich in January 2002, the Tractor Boys may well not have come calling.

Town boss Joe Royle was immediately attracted to the pacy Guinean at the heart of the Clarets defence.

And when financially-stricken Burnley were unable to match the offer on the table from Ipswich last summer, Diallo reluctantly packed his bags and headed for Suffolk.

But he likes to think he paid Ternent back in some small way by playing a part in Camara's move from Wolves to Turf Moor last summer.

He explained: "I knew Burnley needed a left back and I knew Mo had ended his contract with Wolves after they had been promoted to the Premiership.

"After playing virtually all the games the season before - and helping Wolves to the play-offs where they beat Norwich - he was not wanted by them anymore.

"Mo went to Burnley as I said he should and he has done really well. He is a good player and I knew he would get on with the manager because Stan is an honest, straightforward guy.

"He likes people who are hard working and straight and Mo is just that."