By Longsider
November 14 2003

Burnley are off to the East Midlands tomorrow for a Division 1 game against Derby County. The Clarets will attempt to maintain their 100% win record at Pride Park. The good thing about the game tomorrow is the venue, Pride Park, as the Clarets currently hold a 100% record there. We've played at the ground twice since Derby moved from the Baseball Ground and both victories were inspiring to say the least.

The first victory came back in December 1999 in the Third round of the FA Cup when an Andy Cooke goal midway through the second half put out the then Premiership side. Our second victory came when the sides were on an equal footing, last season, with victory ending our dreadful run of defeats that we suffered at the start of the campaign, coincidentally the fixture played in September was also on international weekend, Burnley were actually losing in the game but managed to turn it round in the second half with the inspiration coming from Robbie Blake, who put in his best performance in a Burnley shirt, with the two goals that proved enough to bring us the points home.

In recent weeks the side has been ravaged with injuries whether it be foot injuries, hamstring or even the flu(again) however Stan Ternent has the luxury of having an almost fully fit squad for tomorrow.

Both David May and Glen Little played for the reserves this week with both being substituted with Saturday in mind. Mark McGregor and Lee Roche both came through the same game unscathed as well. Robbie Blake has now recovered from the flu bug which forced him to the bench at Sheffield United and will take his place back in the starting line up. This all means that just Paul Weller and Alan Moore are on the long term injury list.

So with the injury list shortened i expect David May to come back into the side at Centre Half with Graham Branch moving over to the left hand side of midfield in place of Gareth Farrelly. As mentioned Robbie Blake is back from his flu bug so i expect Ian Moore to make may way for him.

Derby manager George Burley has today dismissed the view that tomorrows game is a 'must win' for the Rams.....Didn't Gerard Houllier say that before their game againt Arsenl the other week? County drew their last home game against Ipswich, last Saturday, even though they were winning 2-0 at one stage and there's no doubt that they need the points as they are currently in the relegation zone with just 15 points.

The hosts will be missing both Lee Grant and Candido Costa due to international call ups but
will still have the services of Daniel Dichio present for the game with his loan spell, from West Brom, due to end on Monday. Up front with Dichio will be Lee Morris who will keep his place despite not scoring in the last 6 games.

One player who certainly won't be involved for Derby is Adam Murray who had his contract cancelled this week by mutual consent.

Predicted Burnley side:
Jenson, West, Camara, May, Gnohere, Chadwick, Chaplow, Grant, Branch, Blake, Facey.

Subs: Little, McGregor, Moore, Farrelly and O'Neill

Predicted Derby side:
Oakes, Mills, Kennedy, Johnson, Taylor, Huddleston, Valakari, Holmes, Dichio, Morris.

The referee for the game will be the infamous Uriah Rennie