ROBBIE Blake celebrated many great cup nights with Burnley two seasons ago. Now he’s out to stop them.

But the 34-year-old says he doesn’t want to score against his old club, let alone celebrate.

The former forward, who was reunited with ex-boss Owen Coyle at Bolton Wanderers in the summer, stops short of saying he doesn’t want to win when he returns to Turf Moor on Tuesday night.

But he’d prefer it if one of his new team-mates prevented the Clarets from completing another Carling Cup scalp.

“I wouldn’t celebrate. I hold the fans and the club in too high a regard to do that. I’ve had too many good times there,” said Blake, who made close to 300 appearances for Burnley over two spells.

“I wouldn’t even like to score.”

That’s some statement for a player who has a fight on his hands to force his way into Bolton’s first team. An equaliser from the bench against Birm-ingham – a stunning free kick that Burnley fans know only too well that he is capable of – hasn’t yet been enough for him to make Coyle’s cut.

“We’ve started the season so well – before the defeat at Arsenal we were unbeaten – so I couldn’t be knocking any doors down asking to start. But I’m hoping to start on Tuesday.

“The ideal scenario for me would be for us to win but someone else to score,” said Blake, who after turning down a new contract in the summer and leaving on a free transfer isn’t the only ex-Claret coming back to Turf Moor for the Carling Cup third round tie next week.

“We were training when the draw was made because we were playing Birmingham on the Sunday. Steve Davis came in and said ‘You’re not going to believe it’.

“I thought he was joking.

“But I knew we’d come out of the hat together this season, I just expected it to be in the FA Cup third round.

“It’ll be nice to go back, but I’d have preferred to play them again in the Premier League next season, although I still hope that happens.

“Of the new additions Chris Iwelumo’s come in, done well and scored goals, and Ross Wallace is one of the best left sided players in the division.

“I played with Jack Cork last season – he’s a very good player and has improved the squad and the team.

“That squad, on paper, should be in the top two. They’re not at the moment but they’ve got the players to be there.”

And Blake puts new Burnley captain Graham Alexander high up in that bracket.

“Throughout my career I’ve played with so many footballers, but he is the best pro I’ve ever played with,” said the former Bradford striker of the 38-year-old defensive midfielder.

“Neither me or Grez are blessed with great pace, but he is blessed with so much ability he’s technically a lot sharper in the head than other people on the football field, so that counteracts their pace.

“He’s an inspiration and spurs people on and deserves all the accolades that come his way.

“He’s certainly made me feel I can carry on for longer.”

Alexander is one of 11 of Blake’s former Burnley team-mates who were involved in the memorable Carling Cup run that inspired them to promotion two season ago.

And he hasn’t forgotten how dramatic Turf Moor under lights can be.

“What we had at that time will probably never be repeated again, with the amount of Premier League teams we played and beat,” said Blake, who scored one of his 72 Burnley goals to begin the comeback in the semi-final second leg against Spurs.

“That was all down to the gaffer giving us that confidence.

“I’m sure he will do the same for Bolton on Tuesday night.

“It’s a big game – a good game to be involved in - and one that we’ll enjoy. Hopefully the football will take the attention away from everything else.

“The lads have been sound with me, it’s the gaffer who’s been getting most of the stick, as he probably will on Tuesday night. But he is big enough and he’ll take it on the chin like he always does.

“But by rights he should get a good reception for what he did for the club.”

He added: “The core of the squad that’s there I’ve played with. They’re a great set of lads full of talented footballers.

“It will be a very tough game, and having been at Turf Moor for a lot of years I know the fans will be behind them.”