CRAIG Hignett believes Blackburn Rovers’ in-form midfielder David Dunn will play a key role on and off the field against Burnley – claiming his local pride can give the Blues an edge.

Great Harwood-born Dunn goes into the East Lancashire derby a week on Sunday as the only home-grown player from either side and Hignett insists his extra knowledge and desire could prove vital.

Hignett was a team mate of Dunn’s when Rovers completed the double over bitter rivals Burnley in 2000/2001 as they won promotion back to the Premier League.

He was an unused substitute as goals from Jason McAteer and Marcus Bent defeated Burnley in the first derby for 17 years in December 2000, before scoring the final goal later that season as Rovers drubbed the Clarets 5-0 at Ewood Park.

Now, eight years on, Dunn is hoping to help mastermind another famous Rovers victory, to extend Burnley’s 30 years of derby pain, and Hignett believes the importance of his Ewood allegiance can not be over stressed.

He said: “I remember before that first game in 2000, Dunny was so fired up it was unreal.

"It was the first game against Burnley for about 17 years and he told everyone how important it was.

“A lot of the lads didn’t know what it was all about.

"Obviously we had all seen the Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester derby but we never even thought that Blackburn against Burnley would be as intense.

"It was though, in fact it was probably worse.

“Dunny though knew all about it and tried to make sure we knew about it.

"If he can get that over to the lads in the squad now then it may work to Blackburn’s advantage.

“He will be as fired up to get one over on Burnley again and he is in great form as well.

"We all know Dunny is an incredible talent and if he had stayed fit, I am sure he would have played many more times for England.

"He will be key for Rovers.”

Having scored four goals already this season, Dunn is enjoying a new lease of life this campaign after enduring an injury-plagued return to Rovers and will be desperate to continue his form against Burnley.

Hignett though, who scored 14 goals in 68 appearances between 2000-2002, is not expecting any walk in the park this time round after hailing the Clarets’ recent rise to the Premier League.

“The atmosphere will be unbelievable,” he said. “I could not believe how hated the two sides were.

"It is such a viscous and intimidating atmosphere and I think it is great for the fans to have something to look forward to.

“When I got sent off against them while playing for Coventry after that, I got dogs abuse from them.

"Things are never forgotten or forgiven when it comes to this derby.

“The game we beat them 5-0 was fantastic. In the build-up, everyone was expecting a tight game but we had a good start and just didn’t look back.

"We were on the up and they were just meandering around.

“It is very different now though, isn’t it? Owen Coyle has done a fantastic job and this certainly won’t be a 5-0.

"It will be a really tight game and the team that makes the less mistakes will win.

“I still think the pressure is on Burnley though. They have a terrible record against Rovers in recent years, have bad away form and sometimes these hoodoos last for years.”