BLACKBURN and Burnley are set for a pre-Christmas cracker after the Turf Moor derby was today pencilled in for Saturday, December 16.

The return at Ewood Park, as the teams square up in the same division for the first time since 1983, is scheduled for Saturday, March 31.

The derby clashes that supporters from Rovers and the Clarets have been waiting for since Burnley's promotion to Division One were confirmed when the Nationwide League fixtures were released today, although both games could yet be moved by a day depending on security or television demands.

Rovers boss Graeme Souness, who has played in Merseyside and Liverpool derbies, is aware of the importance of the clash but won't focus on it just yet.

"Derby games are great ones to be involved with but they will take care of themselves and we won't think about that yet," he said.

Instead, Souness is more concerned about the first game against Crystal Palace and is pleased to be kicking off at Ewood Park.

"I am happy to start at home. We have to make our stadium a place where nobody enjoys coming.

"If you're going to do well in any league that has to be the priority.

"We also have to perform for our home supporters. We are in the entertainment business.

"We have to win and win in a way that our supporters will be entertained," he said.

Souness added: "Every club will start the season thinking they have a chance of being promoted.

"Some will make noises that they are just happy to be in the league but everyone will feel they have a sneaky chance. "And supporters at every club will start with optimism and we have to fulfill that."

Burnley have been handed a warm welcome to the First Division with their first three games away to Bolton, home to relegated Wimbledon and away to Wolves.

Champions Manchester United begin the defence of their Premiership title with a home game against Newcastle.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side -- champions for six of the last eight years -- are favourites to add to that tally in the forthcoming season, which kicks-off on August 19.

Runners-up Arsenal travel to Wearside to take on Sunderland, while Leeds, who finished third, tackle Everton at Elland Road.

Division One champions Charlton and runners-up Manchester City meet at The Valley, while fellow top-flight newcomers Ipswich are at Tottenham. Rovers are planning to press ahead with the transfer of Liverpool full-back Stig Bjornebye following Norway's dramatic exit from Euro 2000 last night.

Bjornebye was part of the Norway side that drew with Slovenia but went out as a result of Spain's two injury-tiume goals against Yugoslavia.

The 30-year-old will now be free to sort out his future and Blackburn boss Graeme Souness is confident that will be at Ewood Park.

"We are hoping to get things organised as quickly as possible," he said.