OWEN Coyle believes the added incentive of local pride makes Blackburn Rovers’ trip to Preston about more than just three points.

Rovers make the short journey to Deepdale this evening (5.30pm) aiming to make it three wins in a row against their near neighbours as they eye a move up the Championship table.

Coyle’s men have moved out of the bottom three with a run of seven points out of nine, but the Rovers boss knows his side will have to be at their best against a fired-up Preston side.

“It’s the same three points as every week but there is the added aspect of the local rivalry,” he said.

“A lot of the fans will probably work with each other so there are the bragging rights there and everything we do is about having a team on the pitch that is representative of the support.

“As well as it being a local derby, the game is also live on Sky so everyone will get to see what we have in the North West in terms of two clubs who are steeped in history and tradition going all out to win a tough game.

“I think it will be a very good footballing game.”

Rovers have picked up 18 points from their last 12 games to move out of the relegation places, but could be back in the bottom three, albeit it temporarily, should either Cardiff or Wigan win at Ipswich or Aston Villa respectively, in the 3pm kick-offs.

However, a win for Rovers would move them within two of Preston, and Coyle added: “Every game is a huge game.

“I won’t hide away from the fact that we had a really poor start, picking up two points from seven games, and we have been playing catch up.

“Teams have now started to come in to our area of the league that were 10 or 12 points ahead of us at a different stage of the season.

“Bit by bit we have kept bringing them in and now there’s a host of teams in that area.

“We have got to keep doing our part, winning tough games, and Preston will be a tough and exciting game but if we’re at our maximum, which we will have to be, then we’re more than capable of winning.”

While Coyle knows there will be plenty of passion on display, he’s hoping his side can play to their strengths, adding: “I expect a high tempo game, full of intensity and passion, as it should be, considering it’s a derby.

“We want to make sure we keep our discipline, pass and move the ball and play the game, that’s what’s important to us, understanding how to win a tough game and doing everything in our power to get over the line and be full value for the three points.”

The Scot has been an the opposition dugout at Preston while in charge of Burnley and is expecting a raucous atmosphere at Deepdale.

But Coyle is hoping his side can enter the Christmas period with three more points to their name.

“I think anywhere in the north west there’s a common theme among the fans in how passionate they are and how vocal they are,” he added.

“We are really looking forward to it, we’re in a decent run of form and good shape going in to this Christmas period against Preston and then two home games against tough teams.

“We have to make sure we’re at our best to go there and get the points that will continue to move us up to where we want to be.”