STEVEN Thompson has warned that Burnley must not take the Championship lightly next season after surveying a fixture list that presents them with a tough start to the campaign.

The Clarets open their season with games against Nottingham Forest, Ipswich, Leicester, Swansea, Preston and Middlesbrough, with Thompson insisting that early results will be vital if the club are to return to the Premier League at the first attempt.

“Certainly our first six fixtures, every one of those teams we are playing against are very good teams,” said the striker, who recently penned a new 12-month deal at Turf Moor.

“We are going to need hit the ground running and be at our best.

“I don’t think by any means it’s going to be a foregone conclusion looking at the teams around about you and the teams that have come up, Leeds and Norwich.

“It’s going to be a very tough year. We do have the quality in the squad to get promotion but we can’t take it lightly because it’s going to be very difficult.

“There’s still a core of players who have brought success to the club and everyone gets on very well which I think you’ve got to keep that together - the team spirit we do have, which we will definitely need next year.

"It's a long hard season in the Championship and team spirit has a lot to play in that.”

Thompson said recently that he expects to be competing with new boy Chris Iwelumo for a place up front, although he hopes boss Brian Laws may opt for a change of system that could give him more opportunities to start.

Burnley often played with one striker in the Premier League but could go with two up front in the Championship.

Martin Paterson and Jay Rodriguez are also challenging for starts, while Billy Sharp is expected to sign from Sheffield United in the next few days.

"I enjoyed the Premier League season so much but I did feel that I could have got more out of it, and been more involved and started more games,” said Thompson, who scored four goals in the top flight but made only one start.

“It was disappointing, but it was amazing to have been there and experienced it and to get the goals at the end of the season was a great confidence booster for me.

“We are back now in the Championship which is a league I know well. I’ve had four or five seasons years in it and I’m looking forward to it.

“I think the competition for places will be fierce but the manager will most probably be playing two strikers more than one.

“Last season it was predominantly one and hopefully this year we will be playing two which gives you a 50 per cent better chance of playing.

“I am looking forward to it and looking forward to the challenges and hopefully getting back to playing regular football."

One attacking option, Robbie Blake, has rejected a new deal at Turf Moor and announced his departure - but Laws says he still hopes the 34-year-old will change his mind, “It has already been clearly stressed that the offer is still on the table and I hope that Robbie is still thinking about it,” he said.

“There’s still plenty of time and we will give him that time.”