Derby boss set for final push

By Paul Fletcher

Davies is hoping to point Derby towards the Premiership

Derby County manager Billy Davies is gearing his squad up for a final promotion push to the Premiership.

The Rams are top of the Championship table and, following the international break, have seven fixtures left before the end of the regular season.

"The final push is on," Davies told BBC Sport. "Seven games left and five weeks remaining - exciting times ahead.

"We will now go and try to finish as high as we possibly can in the league. We are very pleased with our progress."

Of the seven games Derby have left, the highest-placed opposing team are Crystal Palace, currently in 11th place.

606: DEBATE How do Derby fans feel about the last few weeks of the season?

But Davies is dismissive of any suggestions that the Rams have a relatively straightforward run-in.

"It does not matter," added Davies. "It will not be any easier and we will certainly not disrespect anyone.

"We certainly will not be complacent in any of the games and I don't believe that at this time of the season you can look at the league table and pick and choose easy games.

"What matters is our approach and we know exactly what we have to do to remain where we are."

I'm glad to say that Steve has certainly proven what we thought he was worth - £1m - and given us a good return for the money Billy Davies on Steve Howard

Derby's last fixture was the 3-1 home win over promotion rivals Cardiff on 17 March - and Davies believes the break has come at the right time for him and his squad.

"We have a number of younger players in our squad who have not played so many games in a row at Championship level," said the 42-year-old.

"I felt the break was good because of the need for a bit of rest. One or two players looked a bit jaded.

"And it helped up us with one or two players who needed a little bit of training, we managed to fit in a friendly game to help players recovering from injury so there have been all sorts of reasons why the break has been good."

Davies left promotion rivals Preston for the Ram last June - and inherited a small squad that he quickly set about boosting.

His first signing was the £1m purchase of 30-year-old Luton striker Steve Howard - and the Rams boss has been rewarded with a return of 16 goals in 38 Championship starts.

"What we have done over nine months, in two transfer windows, is chop and change the squad and try to gel everybody together in a very tight timescale," said the Rams boss.

"There were a few raised eyebrows when Steve joined, people saying he was not worth the money.

"I'm sad to say that some Derby fans gave him plenty of stick over his first few games - but I'm glad to say that he has certainly proven what we thought he was worth and given us a good return for the money."