Clarets captain Steve Davis is hoping the law of averages and Burnley's desire to balance the books will carry his side to derby-day glory at Ewood Park.

Promotion-chasing Blackburn have lost just twice at home this season -- their last defeat coming at the hands of Gillingham over four months ago.

But Davis inists Burnley won't be intimidated by that record and is determined to try and prevent Graeme Souness's men from chalking up a derby double.

He said: "They are due a defeat if they are unbeaten since November so hopefully it will be our day.

"We've got a good squad of players and everyone's up for it. We're going to get a good week's training in before the game and come 12 o'clock on Sunday we will be ready.

"Everyone is really pumped up for it. After the home game we need a good result at Ewood Park and everyone is looking forward to it.

"It's been a long time since Burnley have played at Blackburn in a League game so everyone's going to be ready.

"Along with the home game against Blackburn these are the two fixtures out of the whole programme everyone's looked out for so we know it's going to be a massive game."

Although hailing from the North-East, Davis is an adopted son of Burnley thanks to his two impressive spells with the club.

The second started two-and-a-half years ago and during that time he has played a key part in helping the Clarets climb from the foot of Division Two to their current shared billing with big-spending Rovers.

And Davis is relishing his second crack at Burnley's biggest local rivals.

He added: "It's what football's all about. The Merseyside derby, the Glasgow derby, the Sunderland - Newcastle derby. The derbies are the games you want to be involved in because it means so much to the respective groups of supporters and just because of the time it's been since we last played each other makes it extra special. So we are going to be going all out to avenge the result at Turf Moor and hopefully get a good result."

Davis will be a key figure for Stan Ternent's side and may be given the job of keeping tabs on in-form striker Marcus Bent.

And the central defender knows the size of the challenge facing Burnley on Sunday.

"They are probably on a par with Fulham and I think if anything they are probably a little bit better," he said.

"They seem to play at a higher tempo than Fulham, which sometimes gives you a chance against Fulham.

"That was what we picked up on when we played Fulham at home, that if we got at them they might not be able to handle it which on the night I don't think they did.

"But I think with Blackburn all-round they're probably a touch better than Fulham and they have got some excellent players."

Not that Davis will be standing around to watch.

Despite winning 2-0 at Turf Moor Rovers knew they had been in a game. And Burnley will be looking to re-produce that spirit with a better technical performance to upset the form book in another televised clash.

"To lose the game was bitterly disappointing but I think I said after that game that we didn't lie down and die. We worked hard and gave it our best shot but on the day it just wasn't good enough," said Davis, who will do everything in his powers to make sure this time it is. KEY FIGURE: Burnley skipper Steve Davis is ready for derby