HAVING played close to 400 games with him at Preston, Nottingham Forest skipper Paul McKenna was in familiar company in the centre of the Turf Moor pitch on Saturday.

His Burnley opposite number, Graham Alexander, in fact remains one of his closest friends.

And, as he approaches his 39th birthday in a few weeks time, Alexander also provides the 32-year-old McKenna with a source of inspiration.

The Burnley midfielder had his first taste of top flight football last season and, while it was only a fleeting stay in the Premier League, McKenna hopes Forest can soon follow suit.

"It came at a late time in his career for him, playing in the Premiership and that kind of story does keep pushing you on," he said.

"I hope I can carry on for as long as he has, I don't see why I can't. He has been a great professional, he has played nearly 900 games.

"He never misses games, he has been unlucky not to play top flight for longer than he has.

"He is a good friend, we played hundreds of games together at Preston. Once you cross that white line however, it is just like every other game.

"But if I can follow his example and get into the top flight, of course I will be very happy. That is why I came to Forest.

"And, if we can put ourselves about like that again in the future; if we can play as well as we did on Saturday, we will win more than we lose."

McKenna admits he was gutted to end up on the losing side on an afternoon when Forest played well.

"It was disappointing in the end that we came away with nothing," he said. "Burnley were hanging on for the last half hour. We created chances, unfortunately it came to nothing.

"We have to put this right, because we were having too many of these days towards the end of last season.

"But we will take the positives. We have played worse and won at other places.

"We looked fit and sharp and had enough chances to maybe win a couple of games.

"The gaffer was happy with the performance, but not the result. If we keep playing like that, I am sure we will eventually get the breaks."

McKenna insists the goal is still very much promotion this season, after missing out in the play-offs against Blackpool.

And, while he believes the squad is already good enough to challenge, he admits a few new faces before the end of the transfer window would provide a boost.

"We have kept the nucleus of the squad and we are looking to add to that as well. I am sure we will mount a challenge," he said.

"It (new signings) lifts the players, absolutely. It is good that we are moving in the right direction.

"Every new player that comes in adds to the fight for places."