Nigel Clough believes Derby are in the best form since he took over as manager. The Rams have won four and drawn one of their last six Championship matches.

Derby have deservedly beaten promotion hopefuls Nottingham Forest and Newcastle and smashed five goals past Preston on Tuesday night.

"We have gone four league games unbeaten and but for the cruelty of losing late on to Birmingham in the cup, it would be five games," said Clough. "But the satisfying thing is the level of performance in the last six matches. That has been as consistent as it has been in the last year, even when we had the good run last February.

"This run has seen us play better quality football. We are producing confident, positive football and gaining results to move us up the table."