EDDIE Howe has asked Burnley fans for their unstinting support for what he described as a “pivotal game” against managerless Coventry City tonight.

Defeat at home to Millwall on Saturday means three points from the first of two games in hand would not yet be enough to take them into the top six.

But with an extra home game against Middlesbrough to come in a month’s time, Howe has asked Clarets supporters to keep the faith and get behind their play-off push.

“It’s a massive game for us and it’s not going to be easy, so we urge the supporters to stay with us for the 90 minutes,” he said.

“I’ll be looking forward to the fans getting right behind us because it is a pivotal game.

“The reaction to a setback will be important.

“All these things are so important to successful sides, showing strength of character, and I think that’s what we are going to need to show between now and the end of the season.

“We’ve got some huge games coming up and that strength of character to recover from a setback is so important in professional sport.”

But although Howe was disappointed with many aspects of Saturday’s performance, he has hinted the players could get a chance to redeem themselves tonight.

“After you suffer a defeat like we did there’s always half an eye on changing things and that will be something I have to think about long and hard before the game.

"But then also you’ve got to make sure you don’t over-react. We’re certainly not going to do that,” said the Clarets boss, who has nine ever-presents from 10 Championship games in charge.

“We’ve been on a great run, our form has been very good and we’re still in a good position. If you look at the bigger picture there’s not too much to worry about.

“There’s a fine balance between the two, and we have to make those decisions.

“The form of the players has been excellent by and large throughout our time here so there’s no need to hit the panic buttons.

“We’ll look at it as a blip and hopefully it will be that if we get the result (tonight).”

And Howe said he is looking forward to experiencing a night game at Turf Moor for the first time.

“It’s my first game under lights so I’m looking forward to that and the atmosphere.

"I’ve heard about it and I can’t wait to sample it, and we just urge the supporters to stick with us,” said the 33-year-old.