Davis: It's bigger than Wembley

As the media scrum descended on Turf Moor yesterday, Clarets captain Steve Davis admitted there hadn't been this much build-up to Burnley's ultimately successful Second Division play-off final win over Stockport County.

And the central defender conceded that Sunday's first derby clash with Blackburn Rovers for 17 years has taken on the status of a bigger fixture than the game that clinched Burnley's First Division status last time round.

"It is, just because of the fact that it's against Blackburn Rovers.

"It takes over from everything. It's a massive game, although we want to re-iterate that we want to be talking afterwards about the game and not any trouble that might happen on the terraces.

"It is one game in 46 but really from our point of view we know what it means to supporters and we are desperate to win this football match.

"The manager has said we've got to get to 55 points to make sure we're safe and it's another three points from that point of view but we're under no illusions as to how big the game is to the supporters," said Davis.

It's two decades since the East Lancashire rivals were Second Division foes but even five years ago this looked an unlikely fixture as Rovers were crowned Premiership champions and Burnley, with Davis in their side in the middle of his three stints at Turf Moor, were relegated from Division One -- 12 months after that triumph over Stockport under the Twin Towers.

"When I first came (on loan) there was a massive gap. We were in the Fourth Division and Blackburn were in the old Second Division but then they got into the Premier League. There's always been a massive gap between the two clubs, certainly in recent history, but on Sunday it's not a cup game where we've been drawn out of the hat. We're playing each other on a level playing field. We have got into the First Division and Blackburn are in it as well and it should be a good game.

"But as has been mentioned it is going to be about the football, despite the length of time since we have played each other."

In many ways, Rovers are still a throwback to their top-flight days given the personnel in their squad.

But Davis is relishing the challenge of leading out his side, which goes into the televised game two points above their neighbours.

"They have a lot of players who have played in the Premiership and they are the sort of teams and players you want to play against.

"They have got a good squad, a squad of players that's recognised nationwide so from that point of view it's going to be a good experience and it's one all the Burnley players are looking forward to.

"And I'm sure from a Blackburn point of view they realise we've got a good squad here.

"We're just looking forward to it. I think at the beginning of the season when the fixtures came out I think the two games against Blackburn were the two the players looked out for, as well as the supporters," he added.

Taken in context the game sees Burnley look to extend their unbeaten home record and climb back into the top six.

And for Davis it's an opportunity to erase the memory of a disappointing derby defeat at Preston last Saturday.

The Clarets haven't lost two in a row this season and the skipper is eager to put some more points on the board at the start of the traditionally important Christmas programme.

"Especially after last Saturday and the defeat at Preston," he added.

"If we did lost two in a row last season it was only once and so it's important from the confidence point of view to avoid losing games. Like Garry Flitcroft said, Blackburn have lost one and drawn two so they're still picking up points and if you keep doing that you keep your confidence."