STEVE Waggott says supporter safety will be paramount during the discussions over the scheduling of the East Lancashire derbies.

Rovers and Burnley are in the same league as each other for the first time since 2015/16, following the Clarets’ relegation from the Premier League.

The sides’ league cup meeting in 2017, when two divisions separated them, was marred by a pitch invasion that saw a Rovers supporter receive a three-year football banning order for assaulting Clarets midfielder Ashley Westwood.

The two East Lancashire derbies were the first fixtures that both sets of supporters looked for when the schedule for the 2022/23 was announced last month.

The Turf Moor meeting will come on Saturday, November 12 which is followed by a one-month international break for the World Cup. The reverse fixture at Ewood Park will come on Saturday, March 18.

With Preston North End, Blackpool and Wigan Athletic all in the Championship line-up for next season, there are several derby matches to look forward to.

While the fixtures were announced as being on the advertised dates, there is scope for change, upon police advice, and also for Sky Sports.

Previously the games have been 12.30pm kick-offs, while five of the last eight meetings have been moved to Sundays, and the timing of the game will form part of the discussions between Lancashire Police and the two clubs ahead of the two highly anticipated matches.

“There will be a lot of discussions going on,” Waggott said.

“The police will be contacting both clubs, and there will be a lot of derbies to contend with this season, but the Rovers-Burnley game will be one of their top priorities.

“They will be talking about the timing of the games, and then there is Sky who I’m sure will be in the conversation because there hasn’t been one for six years.

“There will have to be a lot of discussions around the logistics, but the number one thing that is paramount is supporter safety, for everyone.”

Burnley have won the last four meetings between the sides, with the three 1-1 draws prior to those meaning that it is seven games unbeaten in this fixture for the Clarets.

However, Rovers did the double over their near neighbours in the 2009/10 Premier League season, with a David Dunn penalty separating the sides at Turf Moor in March 2010, following on from a 3-2 win at Ewood Park in October 2009.