Southampton FC news
Burley relishing Pride Park return
Source: TeamTalk
Burley - after two seasons in charge - resigned as Rams boss last year, unhappy at the way certain aspects of the club were being run and claiming his position had become "untenable".
Derby, like Southampton, have since undergone a boardroom takeover and Burley claims he is happy to be returning there in his new job.
The Scot, who took over at Saints last December after a short spell at Hearts, told the Derby Evening Telegraph: "I'm looking forward to going back. I have many happy memories from my two years there.
"It is a great club and the fans were tremendous to me. We also had a fair bit of success in the second season and reached the play-offs.
"I know there will be a good atmosphere and it promises to be a good game."
Burley will come up against fellow Scot Billy Davies, a former Motherwell team-mate who will be taking charge of Derby for the first time after switching from Preston.
Both managers go into the season with hopes of promotion and between them they have plenty of experience.
Burley has won promotion with Ipswich and took Derby to the play-offs, while Davies has led Preston to back-to-back play-off finishes.
Burley added: "There are probably a dozen Championship clubs saying the same thing, and we are one of them - but I will be disappointed with anything less than the play-offs.
"We have to prove we are good enough. It is a tough division but it's all about trying to get your own house in order."
Davies is also confident having been impressed with the squad he has taken charge of this summer.
Davies told RamsWorld: "Pre-season has been good and the players have responded brilliantly. We're really looking forward to it.
"It is exciting for the fans and it will be a wonderful occasion. These are the types of games you want to be involved in want to win."
Derby v Southampton
Source: BBC Football
Derby are expected to give new signing Steve Howard his debut.
And new Derby boss Billy Davies selects from a fully-fit squad with midfielder Steve Howard fully recovered from an ankle strain.
Southampton will parade a host of debutants with Kelvin Davis, Pele, Marcelo Sarmiento and Bradley Wright-Phillips pushing for starts.
Fellow new boys John Viafara and Mario Licka have got international clearance but Rudi Skacel is short of fitness.
