BRIAN Laws says Nottingham Forest will always have a special place in his heart – but right now Burnley Football Club is pumping through his veins.

The pinnacle of the Clarets boss’ playing career came during his six-and-a-half years at the City Ground, under Brian Clough, as Forest twice won the League Cup and were runners up once after reaching the FA Cup final in 1991, only to be beaten by Spurs.

His old club and current club come together at three o’clock to kick off the new season.

But there will be no room for sentiment.

Laws admits that, after Forest were stung by newly promoted Blackpool in the play-offs, they will provide one of the toughest tests in the Championship on the opening day, and he is determined to overcome them.

“It’s a club I hold close to my heart. It was the best part of my career, I’ve still got friends there,” noted Laws.

“However, now this season is starting that’s put to bed. It’s got nothing to do with it any more. What’s going through my veins is Burnley and that’s all I’m concerned with.

“I know they’re going to be very tough opposition.

“Billy Davies will be smarting from last year, they’ll be scarred and want to do one better.

“Forest were almost runaways at one stage, breaking records galore in clean sheets, wins ... they had a tremendous season and just failed at the last hurdle, so they’ll be looking to do one better than that.

“They’re a tough side to break down.

“They weren’t beaten in 15 games away from home last year, so they’re going to be a stern test for us, but having said that, it’s all about Burnley, not Nottingham Forest.

“That will certainly set the bar for us, though, knowing that if we’re going to play these teams, who I believe will be there or thereabouts, it will give us a judgement on where we are.”

And what makes the contest even more interesting is that both sides have their own disappointments, which they will be desperate to put to bed on the opening day.

Newcastle and West Brom were the runaway teams for the automatic promotion spots, but after occupying second place for a spell in the new year, Forest were widely tipped to join them as Burnley slipped the other way.

Instead, Billy Davies’ side fell at the first play-off hurdle to the shock overall winners, Blackpool.

Laws anticipates a response. But he feels Burnley’s relegation blow could prove to be the incentive required for a successful season.

“Everybody’s disappointed with relegation, no matter what division you’re in,” he said.

“It’s about self-motivating to do better next season and to bounce back.

“They’ve had a taste of the best league in the world, so the mental scars I think are good scars because they’re scars they can look back on in one respect, but they are fresh and it will make them think ‘I want to get back there’ so keep picking at them. Let it keep bleeding.”

Equally, though, Laws is wary of great expectations.

After an impressive pre-season campaign two summers ago, winning seven of their nine friendlies and scoring 20 goals, Burnley were brought down to earth with a bump by a 4-1 thrashing by Sheffield Wednesday, who were then led by Laws.

“To be honest, the pre-season leading up to that, we were pretty awful at Sheffield Wednesday,” said the Clarets boss.

“If you were looking at it in terms of results, we didn’t particularly play well or score an abundance of goals, but it’s psyching the players up and getting ready for this weekend and building them up and making sure they respond in the right manner.

“Thankfully we got that first win under our belts and had a great start to the season.

“It would be great if we can achieve that again now.

“I’m not looking at the intricate play we’ve got. I’m looking at being really solid and getting through this game and trying to get a win under our belts as quickly as we possibly can, because that will breed confidence, not just for the supporters but for the players as well.”