STEVE Davis is relishing the prospect of taking on the Nationwide League's heavyweights -- but insists that Burnley can't just go along for the ride.

The Clarets skipper is back in Division One for the first time since Burnley's brief flirtation with that level in 1995.

And he's as desperate as anyone to make sure that this time they are there to stay.

To do so will mean Burnley holding their own with the likes of Blackburn, Sheffield Wednesday, Wolves and Barnsley.

And Davis insists they can't afford to be star-struck when they take on the big guns.

"We said that it was going to be like a mini-Premier League and the first three fixtures back that up," he added.

"Bolton is a great stadium and then we're at home to Wimbledon, who have a lot of international players.

"Then it's away to Wolves and another great place to play. They're all quality teams and it's 'roll on August 12'.

"But we've got to win games. We can't just say 'Let's go to Wolves and have a good day.'

"We've got to say 'let's go and get three points.' I'm certainly looking forward to it."

The Clarets will have to find their First Division feet quickly to ensure that they aren't looking over their shoulders as the season wears on. But Davis believes a testing start could be beneficial as the club looks to build on promotion.

"It's definitely a difficult start but if we get some points out of those games it will do a great deal for our confidence," said the central defender, who believe Burnley are better equipped this time around to handle the jump in status.

"No disrespect to the Second Division clubs but there's no comparison with this and going to the likes of Swansea and Rotherham.

"It's up to us and the management to make sure we are good enough not to be going to those places again next year, unless they get promoted.

"There are some massive clubs, Premiership clubs really. But we are in there on merit and we've got to make sure we stay there," he added.

Meanwhile, Gordon Armstrong is on the mend following ankle surgery earlier this summer and expects to be fully fit and raring to when the Clarets' squad report back for pre-season training on July 12.