BLACKBURN'S chairman of rugby Gareth Dyer believes his side go in to Saturday's promotion play-off at Leigh as underdogs - but have the big-game mentality to cope with the pressure.

The North Lancs and Cheshire Division One runners-up have home advantage on account of raking up one more point than Blackburn did in the North Lancs and Cumbria Division.

But with a place in North West Two up for grabs, Dyer is confident his side's ability to play under pressure will see them through.

He said: "We lost four of our opening seven matches and then went on a run of 14 wins in our next 15 to finish in second place.

"After such a bad start, we couldn't afford to slip up again so we have been playing under pressure since January. That is something we can use to our advantage although, with it being at Leigh, I still think we start as underdogs."

Blackburn's preparations for the promotion showdown have been hit by a number of injuries while Jordan Pearson is up in front of a disciplinary hearing on Thursday night - the same evening as Burn's last training session before the match.

Player/coach Stuart Jarrold and Luca Dolan are injury doubts while there are a number of players carried niggling knocks.

Dyer added: "We haven't had the best of preparations and last week we held just light training sessions to nurse some of the players through it. And we won't know if Jordan is available until late on Thursday night which is not ideal."

However, Dyer said he has done his homework on Leigh for what is the biggest game in his two years as chairman of rugby.

"We have had them watched quite a few times. They have lost in a few play-offs but that will only make them even more determined."

He said: "This is definitely the biggest game since I took charge and I am confident we can put a team out good enough to win and gain promotion."

l Blackburn have laid on a coach for travelling supporters and there are still some places available. For details, contact the club on 01254 247669.