Scott Parker knows the importance of Saturday’s clash with Rovers - but insists that his Burnley side must keep cool heads.

Emotions will be high as the local rivals do battle once again, with a crowd of more than 26,000 expected at Ewood Park.

The Clarets are looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Championship and maintain their place in the automatic promotion spots.

When asked about the pressure and expectation that comes with derby games, Parker replied: “We are a young team and in these big games, the main thing is getting the three points and bragging rights over the opposition.

“That will be no different this weekend. As always, that is the main focus and for us as a group, having a real understanding of what this means to our people.

“We will be under no illusions, I will saying exactly that to the group like we did in the home game. There is probably a bit added this weekend and we will be ready for that.”

Hannibal’s red card against Stoke City on New Year’s Day was a prime example of what can happen when emotion spills over.

“That is definitely important, you want to be on the line but never cross it,” the head coach added.

“I include our fans and players in that, we need to be responsible and have a level of emotional detachment in certain moments to stay focused and stay at our best.

“Of course, these derbies and the atmosphere that will be generated can bring something different. As long as people are not crossing the line, in terms of my players, that will be key.”

Parker got his first taste of the East Lancashire derby in August when the points were shared at Turf Moor.

The 44-year-old wants to deliver a performance full of “work ethic and desire” as they make the short trip across the M65.

“It was obviously a massive focus and conversation I was having (with supporters) when I first took the job,” he recalled.

“The game didn’t surprise me in any way, to be honest. I had a feeling about how intense the game would be and what it meant to our fans, I saw that first hand.

“I expect nothing different, I understand the magnitude of this game for our fanbase, us as a football club and that local rivalry.

“As always, we will be going there best-prepped as we can, understanding what it means to our supporters and trying to deliver a performance which shows a real work ethic and desire. Hopefully, we bring a real quality about us and can go and get three points.”

Rovers enter the game on the back of a valuable point at leaders Leeds and are only outside the play-off places on goal difference.

However, Parker knows everything that has happened so far goes out the window once the players step over the white line.

“They have done very well,” said the Clarets chief. “They have come off the back of a run of games where they have had some wins as well.

“A tough opposition, as always in this division, and what the game brings to both teams will be added.

“As always, we will be ready for the challenge we are going to face and no doubt they will be as well.

“(Form) goes right out the window. The most important thing is that we go and put in a performance this weekend and hopefully come out victorious.”