EDDIE Howe admits he is looking forward to his first taste of a real Lancashire hotpot, after the youth team cup clash whetted the appetite for derby fever.

Burnley will face a double header with Blackburn Rovers next season, after their bitter rivals had relegation to the Championship confirmed following a home defeat to Wigan Athletic in their penultimate game.

It is over two years since the teams last faced each other in a league game, in the Clarets’ Premier League season.

It will be the first time in 12 years the teams have met in the second tier of English football.

Although the season is not yet over for Rovers, as they end an already doomed campaign at Chelsea tomorrow, Howe admits he is already anticipating two big showdowns at Turf Moor and Ewood Park next season.

“It’s going to be great for the supporters; they are games I’m sure everyone will be looking forward to,” said the Burnley boss.

“They will be special games, you can see that from the youth games. The first team games will be even more intense.”

Burnley were the underdogs when the teams met in the top flight, with Blackburn having spent 16 out of 18 years in the Premier League at the time. For the Clarets, it was their first appearance in the top division for 34 years.

But with Rovers now facing the loss of their key players, next season could prove a real leveller.

“It will be interesting to see what develops over the summer with both clubs,” said Howe.

“There’s a lot to happen between then and now, where both clubs stand in terms of strengthening.

“We’re doing everything we can to keep the squad together, and we want to strengthen.”

As things stand, battles with Blackburn might not be the only derby dates Burnley face next season, as Bolton Wanderers go into their final game at Stoke City in the Premier League’s bottom three.

Only maximum points for Owen Coyle’s side and defeat for Queens Park Rangers at title chasing Manchester City will guarantee survival. Anything less and the club Coyle favoured over the Clarets in January 2010 will be competing in the same division in a few months.

Blackpool have the chance to earn immediate promotion back to the Premier League after reaching the play-off finals.

Should they lose out to West Ham United a week today, however, that will be a total of six games against neighbouring teams.

“There could potentially be quite a few (derbies) next season,” said Howe.

“I know it sounds boring but we don’t just want our focus to be on those games, they are all as important.

“But in terms of supporters in the local area, there’s no getting away from the fact they are massive games and they will be well talked about in the lead up to them.”