ROBBIE Savage has told Blackburn Rovers supporters – you’ll stand a better chance of winning the derby if you lay off Joey Barton.

Barton will experience what Savage describes as ‘a game like no other’ for the first time at Ewood Park tomorrow lunchtime.

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And the Clarets midfielder is sure to receive a hot reception from Rovers supporters given his reputation.

But Savage, who knows a thing or two about being a pantomime villain, reckons that could play into his friend’s and the Burnley’s hands.

“I’m pleased that Blackburn v Burnley is back this year as it’s a great game to play in and watch,” said Savage, who made 100 appearances for Rovers between 2005 and 2008.

“It’s a game like no other and of course this season you’ve got the added spice of Joey Barton.

“I get on well with Joey and no doubt he will be the pantomime villain, which the game always needs.

“David Dunn was the pantomime villain before, but now’s he gone, he’s manager of Oldham Athletic, where I wish him well, and that means Joey will become the pantomime villain.

“As I say, this game needs those, but what I would urge the Blackburn fans is not to boo him because he will love that.”

BBC and BT Sport pundit Savage will find it hard to forget the first of the two East Lancashire derbies he appeared in for Rovers – the FA Cup fifth round tie between the clubs at Turf Moor in February 2005.

Not when it ended with him being shielded by Ryan Nelsen and Andy Todd after a Burnley supporter wearing surgical gloves ran on the pitch to confront him.

“It’s a massive game and it means so much to the people in the area,” said Savage, who was part of the Rovers team which won the Ewood replay 2-1 thanks to a late goal from Morten Gamst Pedersen.

“It’s just a great derby.”

It will be the first meeting of the bitter rivals since March 2014 when the Clarets beat Rovers for the first time in 35 years on their way to winning promotion.

But with Sean Dyche’s side suffering an instant relegation back to the Championship rivalries will be renewed tomorrow.

“I’m just hoping Blackburn can do what Burnley did and get back into the Premier League,” said Savage.

“But you don’t need me to tell you how it difficult it is to get out of the Championship because there’s so many big clubs and good clubs in there.

“It was important to keep Jordan Rhodes – and I like Gary Bowyer. I worked with him when he was in the academy.

“He’s got some good honest people there and I wish them all the best – for the derby and for the rest of the season.”