Clarets boss Stan Ternent is banking on his wise old heads to help Burnley to derby glory on Sunday.

With the first League clash between Burnley and Blackburn Rovers for 17 years sure to be a frantic affair a calming influence will be vital.

While Rovers boast a posse of players with recent Premiership experience, the Clarets have know-how coursing through their veins through the likes of Mitchell Thomas, Steve Davis, Kevin Ball (pictured), Paul Cook and Andy Payton.

And Ternent believes that could be a crucial factor in the televised Turf Moor showdown.

He said: "There's no substitute for experience. You don't win a lot without experience. It's vitally important.

"Provided the player's fitness level and appetite and desire are still there then experience is a commodity you can't give anyone.

"They have to have been there and they have to have been through it and I have a lot of experience in my side."

Rovers started the season as promotion favourites but Ternent has taken his side above them in the table and is backing his players to continue to compete with their more affluent neighbours.

And after kicking off a hat-trick of local derbies with defeat at Preston a week ago, the boss is keen to extend his side's unbeaten home record.

He added: "I don't normally talk about other teams but I think it's fair to say Blackburn have got top quality players at this level and if they play to their full potential then we will have it all on.

"But there again if ours play to our full potential I feel we are a match for anyone at this level and it has the makings of a cracking match.

"We didn't do ourselves justice at Preston and it's important that we get back to normal in terms of our performance.

"I feel I've got a good squad of players and if they play to their full potential everything about the game should be good."

As well as the matter of playing for local pride, Burnley are also looking to climb back into the top six and Ternent acknowledged that the game, which will be close to a 22,500 sell-out, has importance on several levels.

He added: "Last season we were in the top half-dozen and it worked out for us. This season we've been up there. We are in eighth position now, we quite like being in the top six and it would be nice to get back up there, although it's at the end of the season when it all adds up.

"I'm looking forward to it. It's been a while for the fans, so it's a big occasion for the supporters, perhaps more for the Burnley fans than the Blackburn fans.

"Burnley were one game away from going out of the Football League and Blackburn have been Premiership champions since they last met so it's a big occasion.

"It's a big occasion for the players as well. From my point of view it's another three points towards our target of 55 for safety, at risk of sounding boring.

"But that's how it is, a big game, a lot of pride at stake and if we get a result, preferably a win, then I can go out on Sunday night. If we don't, then there's a problem."

Ternent will give late checks to fitness doubts Lee Briscoe and Glen Little before knowing whether he has a full squad to choose from.

"Lee Briscoe is doubtful at the moment. Glen is 50/50 but the good thing for both of them is that they have an extra day," he said.