Burnley manager Brian Laws is hopeful that his players will rise to the challenge of a local derby with Blackburn Rovers next weekend, as the Clarets seek to escape relegation from the Premier League.

A last-gasp 1-0 loss at Wigan Athletic last time out left Laws' men three points adrift of safety, with just seven games to play.

However, Laws believes that a first league meeting with Rovers at Turf Moor since December 2000 will motivate his players to respond.

He told the club's official website:"It was an awful blow for the players, but it's our job to pick them up and get ready and if we can re-create that performance against Blackburn I will be a happy man.

"I think that's the best ingredient of all. We've got one of the biggest local derbies for a long time.

"We haven't played Blackburn at home for a long time. The players will be encouraged by their performances, but they will be determined to put it right against Blackburn and what better way of doing it.

"There are still a lot of points to play for and anything can happen. The players are very focused on what's got to be and what they have to do.

"I am encouraged more by it than any other performance, so there's still a great belief here we can turn it round."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email