SCUNTHORPE United are celebrating their first season back in English football's second tier after a 43-year absence, but Burnley are out to spoil the party.

Tomorrow marks the Iron's first home game in the Championship.

But on the back of wins over West Brom, in the league, last weekend and Grimsby, in the Carling Cup, albeit on penalties, the Clarets are keen to maintain their winning formula.

"Saturday was a good start for us, but we have to emphasise the word start. We had the same good start last year, but it doesn't mean too much," Cotterill said.

"It's nice to have a good start because it does allow you for a blip along the line, but in the first week, I always think it's important if you can get your first win, first points, first clean sheet."

The latter eludes Burnley just now. Although Grimsby were shut out for 90 minutes, Brian Jensen's goal was breached by substitute Danny North in extra time.

"We're still looking for a clean sheet," said Cotterill, who lost a defender then gained one within a matter of hours yesterday, when the departure of Wayne Thomas to Southampton for £1.2million was swiftly followed by the arrival of Clarke Carlisle on a three-year deal from Watford for £200,000.

He believes that the 6ft 3ins stopper will further strengthen his defensive options, which also include Michael Duff, Stephen Foster, Jon Harley, Stephen Jordan, captain Steven Caldwell, who is battling to shake off a hamstring problem which prompted his first-half exit from last weekend's opening day 2-1 defeat of the Baggies, and fellow newcomer David Unsworth, who made his debut at Grimsby on Tuesday night.

"I think probably Clarke's likely to be ahead of Dave as regards fitness because he's had a pre-season," Cotterill said.

"Dave needs training, that's the bottom line of it. Whilst he was excellent the other night for us he needs training.

"We'll get him there but we'll get him there in our own time. But I'm sure if he's called upon and needed on Saturday, whether it's to start, or come off the bench or whether he's a supporter in the stand, Dave Unsworth will be the same character that we've come across already I think."

If Unsworth was to find himself in the terraces tomorrow, Cotterill hopes he will be surrounded by an army of Burnley fans on their first Championship away day, to counter what promises to be a lively home crowd.

Iron fans are no doubt still pinching themselves at their rapid rise from the ashes. Just three years ago the club narrowly avoided dropping out of the Football League, finishing just four points ahead of second bottom Carlisle United.

They were promoted the following season in an incredible turnaround, finished mid-table in League One the following term and Nigel Adkins steered them to the title last season.

"We know that obviously Scunthorpe's first home game in this league is going to be difficult, we just hope that we get enough of our supporters there in numbers and vocally to get behind the lads," Cotterill said.

"At the end of the day they deserve an enormous amount of credit for where they've been to where they've got to so they deserve an enormous amount of credit for the way the club's been run and the managers that have got them there in Brian Laws and in Nigel Adkins.

"So good luck to them.

"I spoke to Nigel a couple of times in the summer, I've known him a few years and I'm obviously pleased for him but, to be honest, it's about us. It's about what we do at the weekend and how we apply ourselves - that's all I'm interested in.

"We're looking to go into the game and do well, like we did last week, and try to build on what has been a solid start to the season."