Ryan Lowe has praised Blackburn Rovers and Jon Dahl Tomasson but insists Preston North End will be hoping to emulate last season's win at Ewood Park.

Rovers were beaten 4-1 last season on a terrible afternoon after the World Cup break. It was arguably the worst afternoon in Tomasson's tenure.

Blackburn have improved significantly since that day and can move level on points with Preston with a win on Friday night. Lowe was very complementary about Rovers' style of play and Tomasson's work at Ewood this season in his pre-match press conference.

He insisted his players are well drilled on what to expect at Ewood Park and fancies North End to handle the derby occasion as they did last year.

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"We know Blackburn are a good team and it's a derby, where anything can happen," Lowe told The Lancashire Evening Post. "We've made sure the lads are equipped and ready for what's coming. 

"If we can replicate those good moments (from last year) and score line, then it'd be fantastic. But, we know there's a good team standing in our way. They are very intricate in the way they play. I think the game at Norwich was probably a little bit different, in terms of what's going on there. But, the fact is, if you are off it then Blackburn Rovers can hurt any team in the division, let alone Norwich. So, we know that and we are equipped for that. 

"We've got to make sure we worry about ourselves most importantly, but they've got some good players and - whether it is rivalry or not - I think they've got a fantastic manager in Tomasson. 

"So, it's a game we feel is going to be important for both sets of clubs and fans, because it's a local derby. We will treat Blackburn Rovers the same as we treat every team, which is with respect but without any fear. 

"Derbies are always spicy and have an edge to them, but it is just another football team standing in the way of us trying to get some points. We've got to make sure we go about our business the right way and I've got full confidence in the group that they can do that. 

"They've got good players, are well coached, can score goals and play a certain way - which is what we've seen. I've seen them live a couple of times as well. All we have to worry about is the team selection we feel they are going to pick and what selection we can pick to go and win a game of footy."