STEVE Cotterill insists Burnley must be "on their toes" when they kick-start their 2006/07 Championship season against QPR.

Rangers visit Turf Moor for the opening day fixture on Saturday, August 5.

The Clarets will hope for a repeat result of the corresponding fixture last season, when striker Andy Gray grabbed the only goal in a 1-0 triumph in April.

After the opening day fixture, Burnley head to the Walkers Stadium three days later to face Leicester City on Tuesday, August 8.

On August 12, they then lock horns with Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, before tackling Wolves at home.

Cotterill said: "Having a home game to start with is pleasing and hopefully our home crowd will pack in and it will get us off to a good start, which is important.

"Then we have two away games to two big clubs that we did very well against last year.

"We know they are going to be tough and they bring us on to a big home game against Wolves, so all in all it's a decent enough start for us.

"We know we have to be on our toes for the QPR game and be strong from the off. More than anything else we have to be determined.

"We've got a tough pre-season - deliberately so - and we will be looking forward to getting the lads back next week and getting them focused and fit and strong for the challenges ahead."

Yorkshire opponents await on Boxing Day when Burnley journey over the Pennines to Barnsley, while a Turf Moor duel against Stoke City is pencilled in for New Year's Day.

The Clarets tackle Lancashire rivals Preston North End at home on October 28 and at Deepdale on March 17.

On the final day of the season, Coventry pay a visit to Turf Moor.

Cotterill added "At Christmas we start with Derby at home on the 23rd and we will be looking to win that game to get Christmas off to a good start.

"The two away games - Barnsley and Hull - don't involve too much travelling for our fans like last year, when it was absolutely ridiculous.

"Having the last game of the season at home is terrific news for the fans and we are pleased about that.

"I just hope now that all those people who have been with us and supported me and the team in the last couple of years will continue to support us."