DERRICK Williams believes a combination of losing the East Lancashire derby to Burnley, defeats in their opening two League One matches, and the upcoming international break means the pressure is on Rovers going to tomorrow’s home game with MK Dons.

Rovers were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by the Clarets on Wednesday as goals from Jack Cork and Robbie Brady saw the Premier League side progress.

Williams admitted the defeat was tough to take, believing he and the team were capable of performing better than they did against their near neighbours.

But the 24-year-old is hoping to give the fans something to cheer this weekend against MK Dons in what is their final league game until September 9 because of the international break.

“We are always striving for the three points but with the international break coming up you always go in to that on a win as you can carry some momentum on,” Williams told the Lancashire Telegraph.

“I think we have put some pressure on ourselves because of the way we have started in the league, not winning the first two, but there will be pressure on us every game.

“But we have to rise to that pressure and show people what we can do.

“Cup runs are good, but the league is our main priority and we really want to get some important results behind us because of the start we have had.”

Rovers boss Tony Mowbray felt Burnley’s Premier League class told in the end, and Williams says the Clarets’ organisation proved hard for the hosts to break down.

With a quick turnaround between the cup defeat and MK Dons arriving at Ewood Park for the League One clash, Williams says they will try and put the derby defeat behind them.

But in the immediate aftermath of the cup tie, he admits defeat was tough to take.

He added: “After the game we were gutted, personally I was really annoyed at myself with how I played but I have to put that to the side now as there’s no point dwelling on the negatives.

“I felt personally I could have done a lot better, and as a team we could have done a lot better.

“It was tough to take.

“They were very good I thought, their gameplan was very good and made it hard for us.

“They were very organised and when we had the ball it was hard to pick a pass.

“But we have to put that to one side now and look forward to the game at the weekend which is more important.

“We want to make it right for the fans by getting the three points on Saturday.”

Williams admits the pressure on Rovers this season to achieve promotion is to similar to that of the last campaign in which they were trying to stave off relegation from the Championship.

The left-back, a League One title winner with Bristol City in 2014/15, says every point will be crucial as they look to make it a short-lived stay in the third tier.

“I think it’s quite similar,” said Williams, who was speaking at a Rovers Community Trust summer football camp.

“Last season when we were trying to stay up, and two years before going to try and win the league with Bristol, the pressure was similar feelings.

“Every point matters and you really have to work hard for each point.”