IF Burnley are to re-enact the post-match huddle of four-and-a-half years ago, Mark Yates hopes it is as derby winners, not losers.

Gallant yet devastated in defeat, then manager Steve Cotterill gathered his troops in a defiant show of unity.

Staff and players including captain Frank Sinclair, goalkeeper Brian Jensen, goalscorer Micah Hyde and Gary Cahill, who was on loan from Aston Villa at the time, embracing in front of their proud travelling fans was an image that once adorned the Turf Moor reception in black and white.

But Yates hopes a very different, more positive picture, is painted on Sunday as Burnley bid to claim the bragging rights for the first time since 1979.

“It was a spur of the moment decision when Steve got everyone on the pitch together for the group huddle,” said former Clarets midfielder Yates, who returned to the club in 2004 as Cotterill’s first team coach.

In his first season back at Turf Moor, Burnley reached the FA Cup fifth round, and were pitted against rivals Blackburn Rovers in a cup competition for the first time in 44 years.

A stalemate at home earned a replay at Ewood Park, and Yates recalls: “We didn’t really take a couple of chances that came along in the first game at Turf Moor.

“We did ever so well in the replay, Micah Hyde scored a great goal but we lost late on.

“It was a feisty occasion. There’s no love lost between the supporters, but hopefully it will pass off without incident after the trouble that’s gone on with recent derbies.

“But it will be passionate. It’s not for the faint-hearted.”

Click play below to listen to this week's edition of the Lancashire Telegraph Premier League podcast.