Preston boss Alan Irvine has urged his improving side to continue their recent upturn in form in Saturday's derby clash at Blackpool.North End travel to Bloomfield Road bidding to secure a fourth straight win and desperate to avenge a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Seasiders earlier in the season.

And Irvine knows victory over Simon Grayson's side would virtually secure their Championship status.

"I realise what it means to the fans," Irvine told the club's official website.

"I'm not going to play that down because it's a big, big game for them - probably the biggest games of the season as far as the fans are concerned.

"It's a very important game, as the remaining eight games will be, and it's a game that we desperately want to win to keep our run going."

More Football News from TEAMtalk