The Rams are aiming to make it three games unbeaten against Doncaster Rovers, a team who have beaten Derby on the last three occasions the sides have met.
The Yorkshire outfit beat the Rams two nil in December, a game where silly defensive errors cost Derby dear, so Nigel Clough will be hoping that his side are becoming more solid at the back, especially with the return of Shaun Barker, who has been impressive but equally injury prone.
Derby last beat Donny in December 1985. Surely it is time that this record was ended.
Vital Quotes:
Rams’ on-loan right-back Nicky Hunt insists that the team’s focus is on the Doncaster cup clash despite the team’s precarious league position: ‘I’m pleased to be available for the FA Cup, I just want to play as many games as I can.
‘When I joined a few weeks ago I was gutted not to be involved against Millwall because I had played on the Saturday and wanted to play as much as I could.
‘We just want to keep winning. We have a league game on Tuesday at Plymouth, but right now it isn’t in our minds, all we are thinking about is the Cup tie.
‘Hopefully we can win and follow it up on Tuesday at Plymouth and then the Forest game next Saturday, but the focus is on the FA Cup right now.’
Doncaster Rovers Boss Sean O’Driscoll says his side are relishing playing at Pride Park again: ‘We had a good result at Pride Park not so long ago and the players are quite looking forward to it – not just because it’s Derby – but because they are coming back off their break and are raring to go,’ said Rovers boss Sean O’Driscoll.
‘There is a big carrot for the winners, You are almost guaranteed, as much as you can be guaranteed in football, drawing an attractive opponent in the next round, so there is a lot riding on the game,
‘They’ve got one or two injury problems and on-loan striker DJ Campbell is cup-tied, but they’ve still got some quality players in the squad as whole.’
Derby County Team News:
DJ Campbell cannot feature as Leicester City are not allowing him to play in cup competitions for The Rams. Chris Porter, Rob Hulse and Kris Commons are all fighting to partner the in-form Steve Davies upfront. Shaun Barker should continue at the heart of defence and Nicky Hunt will continue at right back as Bolton have allowed him to play a part in the cup.
Player to watch: Steve Davies
Davies has scored two goals and a penalty in the shoot-out victory over Millwall in his last two games. A figure who Nigel Clough has hailed as potentially very influential could be the difference between the sides on Saturday.
Doncaster Rovers Team News:
Doncaster boss Sean O’Driscoll has no new injury worries, always a frustrating thing to see which leaves you pondering why we can’t be in that situation.
Player to watch: Dean Shiels
The former Hibernian attacking midfielder has impressed since making the switch south of the border and has been in decent goalscoring form this term.
Match Facts & Stats
Last 5: Derby County
Peterborough United (a) 3-0
Millwall (h) 1-1 (Derby win 5-3 on penalties)
Scunthorpe United (h) 1-4
Millwall (a) 1-1
Newcastle United (a) 0-0
Last 5: Doncaster Rovers
Brentford (a) 1-0
Watford (h) 2-1
Coventry City (a) 0-1
Derby County (a) 2-0
Bristol City (h) 1-0
Next Fixtures:
Plymouth Argyle vs. Derby County, Tuesday 26 January 2010 19:45, The Coca-Cola Football League Championship