OWEN Coyle says the chance to move out of the relegation zone with a win at Sheffield Wednesday tonight presents a ‘huge incentive’ to Blackburn Rovers.

Rovers travel to Hillsborough knowing that three points would see them overtake Burton Albion and move out of the relegation zone for the first time in two months, irrespective of results elsewhere.

Coyle’s side have taken four points from their last two games, but still go in to the game against promotion-chasing Wednesday two points from safety with 16 games remaining.

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Tonight represents their game in hand over fourth-bottom Burton, and Coyle said: “It’s a huge incentive.

“We always say it, your next game becomes your biggest of the season and that’s what Sheffield Wednesday is as it’s an opportunity to get points and capitalise on that game in hand.

“If we had got the points we felt that we should have on Saturday then we would have already elevated ourselves out of that bottom three situation with the game in hand.

“But the important thing is going and trying to get points and kick on from there.

“We have to try and maximise the opportunity and to do that we will have to play very well because it is a very good team that we’re playing against.

“We all understand that we’re in a dangerous position in the league that no-one wants to be.

“We know over a period of time that we won’t be there and get ourselves to safety, but the sooner we do that the better for everyone.”

Although Burton aren’t playing tonight, Rovers’ fellow relegation rivals Bristol City and Wigan are, away at Leeds and Wolves respectively.

Wednesday will be red-hot favourites for tonight’s game, having won five and drawn one of their last six home games, conceding just once in the process.

But Coyle added: “Every game we play home or away the focus is on getting points.

“Sheffield Wednesday, because of the quality they have and money they have spent, maybe one or two people won’t give us a chance, but that’s up to them.

“As a group we will concentrate and keep focussed on us.

“Out of the last nine games we have won four, drawn three and lost two. And within that, the game at Ipswich we could have easily got something from the game, and then the game against Leeds United we felt we were the better team and lost to a last minute goal.

“The lads are working hard, it’s not a team that is out of sorts, but one that is disappointed not to have taken six points from the last two games.

“Regardless of who is missing we need to make sure the boys who come in are ready to give their best and if they do then it’s a game we can go and win.

“We certainly believe that – but we will need to be at our best.”