TOP TWO IS ONLY AIM NOT DERBY DELIGHT

MICHAEL DUFF has spent the past decade trying to end Blackburn’s hoodoo over Burnley but the Clarets defender says he has bigger aims than that this season.

Burnley have not won an East Lancashire derby against Rovers since April 1979, and Duff has failed to win any of the six games he has played in since moving from Cheltenham in 2004.

But with the Clarets sat in the automatic promotion spots and flying under boss Sean Dyche this term, Duff isn’t too fussed about the bragging rights.

“We all know about the big stat that it’s over 30 years since Burnley beat Blackburn, but this year there’s a bigger picture,” said 36year-old Duff. “It’s a big thing locally, but I know it’s the most boring thing in the world, it’s all about three points. At this stage, every point is massive.

“Recently it might have been the be all and end all to beat Blackburn, but this year it would be the icing on the cake if we could do it and get promoted as well.

“It doesn’t matter who we play against, we play to win every game, and this game is no different.”

Each of the last three meetings between the sides have ended 1-1, but with a fully-fit squad to choose from Dyche will be hoping for better luck today.

Dyche is likely to name the same starting XI for an eighth straight fixture, with 46-goal strike duo Sam Vokes and Danny Ings looking to claim another scalp.

“We are aware of what it means and we are aware of the fact it’s a big game, but we’ve had a number of big occasions this season,” said Dyche.

“We’ve had some real experience this season and we hope that adds to the players’ understanding and belief in what they do, because regardless of the size of the game we have delivered very good performances.”