THERE weren’t many things that could put a smile on the Clarets’ faces after an unbeaten start to the season came to an end at the Liberty Stadium.

But if there was one event that was capable of lifting the mood following a 1-0 loss at Swansea City it was the Carling Cup draw, and the mouthwatering tie it threw up for Burnley.

Former boss Owen Coyle has been handed a return to Turf Moor in the third round, just eight months after quitting for Bolton Wanderers.

Coyle steered Burnley to the semi-finals two seasons ago, during their promotion-winning campaign. And the irony that he will return to his former stomping ground trying to avoid a fate that befell Fulham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs in the semi-final second leg, albeit not overall in the end, was not lost on the players, or current boss Brian Laws.

“I didn’t have a clue (about the draw) but I was told in the warm-up,” said goalkeeper Brian Jensen, who became the hero of the tournament in 2008/09 for a succession of outstanding performances, which included penalty shoot-out heroics at Stamford Bridge in the third round.

“It’s going to be good fun isn’t it!

“I was laughing about it a little bit because it’s typical. That’s the way life goes.

“We know it’s going to be tough one but it’s going to be good to see some of the old faces, that’s for sure.”

Laws added that pre-match preparations meant he wasn’t immediately aware of the draw, but got in touch with Coyle as soon as he heard the news.

“I didn’t get the draw until late because we were concentrating on this game and we had our team meeting,” the Clarets boss explained.

“When I eventually saw it I actually text Owen and put ‘Ouch’.

“It’s going to be interesting to say the least, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we got a full house there for that one.

“It’s a mouthwatering one for the supporters.

“There’s a lot of emotions within that draw. I’m sure everyone will look back to last season and what happened because it’s still fresh in everyone’s minds.”

But Laws insisted the anticipation had not had an adverse affect on the build-up to the trip to the Liberty Stadium.

“That comes later, there’s no way that was an excuse for losing the game,” added the Burnley boss.