STAN Ternent does not need reminding that tomorrow's match at Deepdale is a big one.

All the ingredients are there for a classic encounter, a Lancashire derby in front of a packed crowd between two teams with a proud history and high hopes of a bright future.

"It is going to be tough derby match in front of a full house but there will be two decent teams out there," he said.

"They are on an 11 game unbeaten run, we are unbeaten in seven and it has all the makings of a really good game of football.

"We are both aiming to finish as high as possible and Preston did well last year when they got to the play-off final that they lost to Bolton.

"I think that both teams have come a long long way in a very short period of time and it is good for the clubs, it is good for both sets of fans.

"I think it is also good for Lancashire and there are a lot of good sides in the county. There is a rivalry between the fans but I think it is friendly."

Honours were shared when the two sides met last season with each club winning its home fixture.

But Ternent admitted that Deepdale is anything but a happy hunting ground for his side.

"To be fair our record at Preston is poor so we can only improve," he said. "There will be about five or six thousand Burnley fans and the momentum is with us as we are top of the table.

"But I have got a lot of respect for Preston and the job that David Moyes has done. We will show them respect but we would love to beat them."

Paul Cook and Andy Payton have been allowed to leave Turf Moor on loan but only skipper Steve Davis and Mitchell Thomas are currently injured. That means the return of Gareth Taylor from suspension gives Ternent a strong squad to select from as he aims to make it five wins on the trot, three away from home at promotion rivals.

"We have won six times away from home and that shows that the players have done well," said Ternent. "It is now the second time that we have had experience of being top of the league this season and I think the players have coped very well with the pressure.

"When you are top of the league you find an extra yard or two of place and you have to live with and learn how to cope with the pressure."

No matter what the result tomorrow, Ternent expects both teams to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.