ELLIOTT Bennett is eagerly anticipating Rovers’ upcoming derby with rivals Burnley in the Carabao Cup.

The second round draw pitted the two East Lancashire clubs together, with the game at a week today (7.45pm).

It will be the first meeting between the two sides since March 2016, and Rovers will be looking to end a seven year wait for a win against the Clarets.

Rovers have the small matter of a trip to Bradford City before that as they look to get their League One campaign up and running.

Tony Mowbray’s men have lost their opening two league games, against Southend United and Doncaster Rovers, with Bennett admitting the league form is the priority.

But that doesn’t stop him thinking about the chance to feature in a derby match against Sean Dyche’s side.

“It’s a great draw for the fans,” Bennett said. “For us we have Saturday to look forward to first and take care of that before the big derby on Wednesday.

“We have to get our first league win and all our focus is on that but it’s a fantastic one for the fans and the local area.

“You can’t beat a good derby game and we’re all looking forward to it.”

Bennett played in the last derby between sides when an Andre Gray penalty gave the Clarets a 1-0 win at Turf Moor. Two divisions now separate the clubs, with Rovers operating in the third tier for the first time in 37 years while Burnley are in the Premier League and opened their season with a 3-2 win at Chelsea.

Rovers invited supporters to an open day at Ewood Park yesterday, with around 500 fans watching the team train for an hour on the pitch.

The players then signed autographs and had pictures with the waiting fans, before heading to Brockhall for their second training session of the day.

But Bennett said welcoming the fans to the training session is a big part of what football clubs should be about.

A crowd of 12,223 watched Rovers’ opening home game against Doncaster, and Bennett said: “Every club only survives because of its fans and when we can do days like this it is brilliant, especially with the kids being off, it’s great to see so many families come down and see us train.

“I remember being that kid, going along to Wolves training and looking to meet the players that I looked up to.

“It’s fantastic for them and us. We have not had a great start to the season but this is great to keep everyone together.

“We know the job in hand it’s nice sometimes to get away from the training ground and come and do days like this.

“On a Saturday we’re just seen as a footballer for the team that they support but we are human beings and we have a personal side. It’s always nice to do things like this.”