BRIAN Laws says he is eager to get Burnley's promotion push under way when his side hosts his former club Notts Forest on the opening day of the season.

“It’s a mouthwatering start for us, there’s no doubt, and it really gets the heart pumping for what lies ahead," said Laws, who made over 200 appearances for Forest in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

“Everyone wants a home game to begin and it’s a fantastic opportunity to start the season well.

“I have a good record against Forest, so I am particularly looking forward to it!

“Forest will again be pushing to have another go at the Premier League, which makes it a tough start. But what a game to begin!”

With trips to Ipswich, Swansea and Middlesbrough to follow, and home games against last season's play-off semi-finalists Leicester and Lancashire rivals Preston making up the first six games, Laws added: “We know we need to hit the ground running and there couldn’t be a better few games to look forward to.

“The first five (games) are all against strong teams, so it will certainly give us a good indicator of how strong this league is.

“There are no easy games at this level and the fixture list emphasises that.

“It has set the bar high, but it will prepare us for the marathon ahead and we feel we are up to the challenge and our goal of getting back into the Premier League."