BURNLEY legend Steve Davis is relishing taking his first tentative steps into football management.

The former Clarets defender took charge of his first game as reserve team boss this week after replacing Mark Yates - a 1-0 defeat to Bury.

But Davis feels the only way is up as he carves out his new career.

He said: "I always hoped to return to Burnley one day, but you never know whether that is going to happen or not.

"I'm still pinching myself at how quickly things have happened and I still can't believe how lucky I am every day I drive into the club.

"I lost count of the number of times I drove past Turf Moor after I left and it's terrific to drive through the gate once again and be involved at an exciting time for the club."

Davis, who made almost 400 appearances for the Clarets in three spells between 1989 and 2003, scoring 47 goals, added: "Things have changed since I left and there's a new manager here, so I see it as a great opportunity to be working with great people.

"Managing has always been something I'd like to have a go at one day and I'm getting first-hand experience under an excellent manager in Steve Cotterill and his assistant Dave Kevan.

"I am learning things every day from both and we'll have to see how it goes."

Hexham-born Davis, who initially rejoined the club as a scout last October before being handed a contract as reserve team manager until the summer of 2007, added: "Things have obviously moved on since I first came back in a scouting capacity.

"But I feel like I am settling down okay. I am still getting used to the lads and they are getting used to me as well.

"Change is always difficult, bit I think we are over that hurdle now and I am enjoying the job.

"The reserve team is my bread and butter, but being back at Turf Moor with the first team last weekend was just amazing. Just to be involved was something special to me because the big games and the big crowds are the next best thing to playing."