SEAN Dyche and Gary Bowyer used to share common ground: their first football club and musical interests.

Tomorrow’s game will prove how far they have progressed from the halcyon days of the Hacienda as they face each other in opposite dugouts.

“I don’t know what he’s up to now with his music. He’s probably still listening to Wham!, maybe a bit of Kylie and Jason,” said Dyche, with a hint of sarcasm.

Fighting talk, some might say, on the eve of the derby.

Tomorrow, at Ewood Park, they will share an aim to come away with three points, with Burnley pushing to enhance their automatic promotion chances and Blackburn pushing for a play-off place.

“They’ve still got a really good squad there,” said Dyche.

“They’ve done a lot of business.

“There’s a heck of a lot of players that have gone in and out but I think in general Gary’s steadied the ship.”