Rovers say the kick off time for next weekend’s home game with Preston North End was agreed in conjunction with Lancashire Police at the start of the season.

The game at Ewood Park will get underway at 12 noon, with a large travelling following, in the region of 7,500, expected.

Of Rovers’ remaining six home matches, only one is at the traditional Saturday 3pm slot, that being the game with Stoke City on April 6, while last weekend’s defeat to Middlesbrough was moved to the Sunday for Sky Sports coverage.

The club have apologised for any inconvenience caused by the lunchtime kick off, but explain ‘the impact on the wider Blackburn public’ as well as the residents close to Ewood Park, were other factors taken in to consideration.

It is the second time this season the kick off time has been brought forward to 12pm, the other being the 2-1 win over Leeds United in September.

After a request for clarification from the Lancashire Telegraph, the club released a statement to explain the kick off time.

It read: “Following questions being raised by supporters relating to the early kick-off for the forthcoming home fixture against Preston North End the club would like to clarify why the kick-off time was moved.

“Following the announcement and release of the 2018-19 fixtures last June, discussions were held with the police around the fixtures that would attract a sell-out of the away end.

“Preston North End and Leeds United were the two games identified as attracting away support in excess of 7,500 and therefore a mutually agreed decision was reached by the club and the police for these two homes games to have the kick-off times brought forward.

“For the visit of Preston North End, due consideration was given to the game being a local derby, previous encounters between the two clubs, the large away allocation and the short distance for the Preston fans to travel.

“The impact on the wider Blackburn public and those residents living in close vicinity to Ewood Park was also taken into account.

“We realise that by moving the start time will cause inconvenience to some of our home supporters and we can only apologise for that impact on those affected.”

The club have already announced the game won't be streamed live on Sky Sports.