WING sorcerer David Eyres rebounds from suspension as Burnley endeavour to rejuvenate their Second Division campaign in tomorrow's big Lancashire derby against Blackpool at Turf Moor.

A last-gasp Tony Ellis goal secured Blackpool a point at Stockport County in midweek to manoeuvre Blackpool to within two points of leaders Swindon Town.

And Sam Allardyce knows victory for the Seasiders could take them to thne summit of Division Two if Steve McMahon's side slip up at Wycombe Wanderers.

But Burnley - with just one league win from their last eight league outings - cannot contemplate another disappointing reverse.

The Clarets are already eight points adrift of the final play-off spot and Eyres knows the importance of the fixture as the two Lancashire rivals cross- swords for the first time this season.

"The next month is the most crucial for a number of years for Burnley and we need a result tomorrow. It is as simple as that," he predicted. "The next four weeks is the most important part of the season for us and we need to bounce back from the Hull game.

"I predicted at the start of the season that my old club Blackpool would be one of the strongest contenders for promotion. I haven't changed my mind about that. They have the strength and the power to go straight up."

Tomorrow marks the start of an arduous seven-game fixture schedule for the Clarets against four of the sides in the top six.

Over the next 18 days Burnley face a return showdown at Bloomfield Road on March 12 before leaders Swindon Town arrive at Turf Moor four days later.

The following Tuesday Burnley go to Crewe Alexandra.

The month winds up with challenging fixtures at Oxford United and Wycombe Wanderers.

"We've got a really big month coming up and we need to get back on track," said midfielder Steve Thompson.

"But I live in Blackpool and tomorrow's game is the one everybody is talking about.

"We need victory to give our season a big lift. What better game than against Blackpool. "After our drubbing at Hull City the best thing we could have asked for was a local derby.

"Passions will be running really high. Blackpool are buzzing at the moment but, if we show the sort of form we are capable of, then we have nothing to fear.

"But we've got to start playing very soon and to string some sort of form together. Facing Blackpool gives us a real opportunity to list ourselves from the slump. It should be a real humdinger."

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