Clarets winger Glen Little insists Burnley can bounce back from their mauling at Blackburn to record their first derby win of the season against Preston on Friday night.

Burnley were blown away at Ewood Park but Little is confident there will be no lasting damage as Stan Ternent's men prepare to face further promotion hopefuls in the shape of sixth-placed North End.

"We're not going to go to pieces or anything," he said. "I think you just hold your hands up and say if maybe it had been Grimsby then you get worried.

"But Blackburn are a very good side. I think they'll get promoted and I hope Preston is a totally different game.

"We'd have loved to have gone to Blackburn and won but hopefully Preston aren't as good as Blackburn. We'll be at home and we'll be trying to get a good result.

"We haven't really done well against Preston over the last few seasons. We are due a win and I don't think we'll worry about this.

"At the end of the day if you get beat, you get beat, whether it's 1-0 or 5-0."

The Clarets owe their supporters an improved performance and in another televised game will also want to restore some pride on a national scale.

Little added: "To be fair to the supporters they cheered us off. I think the bottom line is they can see we're in the First Division with them (Rovers) but for the class and the size of the club you only have to look at their bench, they're reeling off three and four-million pound players.

"It is difficult but we will get on with it, try and beat Preston to turn it round again and give the supporters something to cheer about.

"My friends and family have watched that on television as well and hopefully next Friday we'll give them something better to watch.

"Preston are a good side as well but I don't think they're as strong as Blackburn. We are at home and I'd like to think that it might be on on level terms and we can get a win."

Clarets boss Stan Ternent also stressed that he wouldn't allow Burnley's season to tail off and still has targets he wants his players to meet over the final eight games.

"We've got to try and get in the play-offs and if we can't get in the play-offs then it would be a great achievement to finish in the top half," he said.

Blackburn apart, the Clarets have proved that they can compete with most things the First Division can throw at the them and still look equipped to secure a highly impressive finish.

However, they now face a spell of four games in 11 days with a squad that's getting down to the bare bones.

Graham Branch has been added to the injury list with a knee problem sustained against Rovers so Ternent will be hoping Lee Briscoe is fit to return against Preston to avoid being down to just 16 fit senior outfield players.