Burnley defender Clarke Carlisle feels that Burnley's tag as pre-season promotion favourites is fully justified!

Many bookies have tipped the relegated Clarets to be in the promotion mix-up this season.

And Carlisle has no qualms with that, believing that the current squad has the right blend of youth and experience to handle the pressure.

And with Saturday's Championship opener against Nottingham Forest tantalisingly just days away, the former Watford and QPR man knows the expectation and excitement levels around the club are high.

He said, "We just go about the job in hand and we believe we're strong enough to be there or thereabouts.

"We don't concern ourselves with views from the outside and try not to read too much into being made favourites.

"There are probably a number of teams that reckon they can make the top two, never mind the top six and it's going to be very difficult.

"But we believe we should be part of that group and that's what we'll be trying to do."

Carlisle is relishing the prospect of another successful Championship campaign with the Clarets.

And the vastly experienced defender believes Burnley are far better equipped than they were two years ago to achieve another crack at promotion.

He added: "Not only have we got quality, we've got quantity this season, so injuries shouldn't affect us as much as they did a few years back.

"We definitely have a stronger squad than the year we were promoted but it's all about getting that squad playing well together."

There will be more from the squad - and manager Brian Laws - as we ramp up our build-up to the big kick off on burnleyfc.com from Thursday morning.