CLARKE Carlisle has warned Burnley to play the game and not the occasion as the countdown to the 92nd East Lancashire derby draws near.

Preparations for events off the field, with visiting supporters travelling to Ewood Park on designated coaches, have threatened to overshadow the match.

But the defender, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Wednesday, is confident the Clarets will keep their eye on the ball. “The atmosphere will be outstanding. Electric. It will be a very big game,” he said.

“But I think that’s more for the supporters, because as players we don’t differentiate between the opponents week to week.

“It’s just got to be the same game, the same drive, otherwise you can get caught up in situations like that, like we’ve seen one or two big names do recently.

“And it can be to the detriment of your own performance and your team’s performance.

“We need to maintain what we are doing, approaching the games in the right manner and stay focused for longer in games, and we will win.”

Although Sunday will be the former Blackpool and QPR defender’s first taste of this Lancashire hotpot, it was on the Preston-born stopper’s doorstep as a child.

“As a football fan growing up you’re aware of all local derbies when they come about, because big things are made of them in the papers and on the telly.

“But this will be my first experience of this and I’ve heard it’s quite intense.”

“This is something of a forgotten derby because it’s not been played for such a long time, but Duffo (Michael Duff) was telling us he played in the last one and he said it was something special.”