DERBY debutant Luke Varney says Blackburn Rovers owe their fans a performance in Sunday’s visit of bitter rivals Burnley to Ewood Park.

The 31-year-old admits Rovers ‘let everyone down’ with their display in the shock 4-0 loss at Bolton Wanderers last Saturday.

But Varney, who will be experiencing an East Lancashire derby for the first time, knows there would be no better way of righting the wrongs of the Reebok Stadium than by extending Rovers’ unbeaten run over Burnley to 12 matches.

“Saturday has been put to bed quite quickly,” said the new loan signing.

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“We were in on Monday, we had a short and sharp session and then a meeting.

“We are experienced enough to know we let everyone down on Saturday, including ourselves.

“But we’ve got a big fixture coming up this weekend so we’ve turned our attention to it quite quickly.

“It’s quite important to keep a level head when you come up to big, fierce derbies like this but come Saturday and Sunday we’ll be buzzing and ready to go.

“There’ll be an extra bit of spice but on a personal level for the players we need to right the wrongs of last Saturday and with it being Burnley it would be even better.”

But Varney, who will remain on loan at Rovers from Leeds United until May 11, will not be underestimating the second-placed Clarets.

He was part of the Leeds team that went down 2-1 at Elland Road to Sean Dyche’s side in September.

“I’ve felt the strong hand of Burnley already this season,” said Varney, who is expected to pen a permanent deal with Rovers once his Whites contract runs out in the summer.

“They’ve done brilliantly this season and we have to give them credit for what they have achieved.

“But we’ll be looking to get our season back on track by winning the game, putting in a really good performance for the fans and, as I said, putting right what was wrong last Saturday.”

Should Varney, who is aware of Rovers’ 35-year unbeaten record over Burnley, play on Sunday it will also mark his home debut.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said the former Sheffield Wednesday attacker, who played in Steel City derbies.

“But no matter who the game is against I will be delighted to put the shirt on at Ewood.

“It’s going to be a big occasion and a great one to be involved in.”