The Big Match Preview: Leicester City (A)

Nigel Clough`s high-flying Rams face arguably their biggest test to date in the fledgling Championship season, a televised clash against big-spending Leicester City.

The Foxes haven`t started brilliantly, but the side is littered with quality from defence to attack, and, if they click on Saturday, it will be extremely difficult to come away from the King Power Stadium with any points.

That said, The Rams have thrived on the challenges thus far, and will be extremely high on confidence after the brilliant display at home against Barnsley, although they missed the chance to go top of the table as the score finished 1-1.

Again, if results go the right way on Saturday, The Rams could once again climb to the summit of England`s second tier.

In-form Rams midfielder, Ben Davies, has heaped praise onto his former manager, Sven Goran-Eriksson, now at Leicester, who was the his boss at his last club, Notts County: 'I cannot speak highly enough of him,' Davies told BBC East Midlands Today.

'For someone like him - who has achieved so much - to come to Notts and be so down to earth was incredible.'

Davies added: 'The one word I would use to describe working with Sven would be a pleasure. He was a top man.

'I have been fortunate enough to work with the gaffer here [Nigel Clough] and with Sven.

'They are probably two of the nicest blokes you could have in football. You can't do anything but learn from them. Like the gaffer here, Sven is always there to help off the pitch as well.'

Leicester`s imposing centre-half, Sol Bamba, isn`t taking the opposition lightly: 'It is a massive game for us, we won there last season, but it was a tough game, although I remember Yakubu scoring a very nice goal,' he said.

'We are getting points away from home and, if we can pick up wins at our own stadium, we will be fine.'

The influential trio of £4-million-man, Jermaine Beckford, Richie Wellens and Manchester City loanee, Michael Johnson, are all dounts for the derby game after going off injured in the second half of the Middlesbrough game on Wednesday night.

David Nugent could return to the squad after a month-long lay-off, but is unlikely to start.

Pricey defender, Mills, had a tough start to his Leicester City career after signing from Championship rivals Reading in the summer, but is starting to turn things around.

He has been a key part of Leicester`s clean sheet tally in recent weeks.

Left-back, Gareth Roberts, is struggling to be fit for the TV game with a shin injury he suffered against Barnsley.

Russell Anderson looked uncomfortable in his stead so it would be a big boost to have the former Doncaster Rovers man for this one should Kevin Kilbane not be able to return in his place.

Ben Davies` transformation has been remarkable.

After looking average when he signed, he has flourished this season and looks dangerous every time he gets the ball, including in open play.

He has already created a hatful of goals for his teammates this season, including winning the penalty which Steve Davies smashed home to earn a share of the spoils against Barnsley.

Derby County last 5:

Barnsley (h) 1-1

Millwall (h) 3-0

Nottingham Forest (a) 1-2

Coventry City (a) 0-2

Burnley (h) 1-2

Leicester City last 5:

Middlesbrough (a) 0-0

Cardiff City (a) 0-0

Cardiff City (a) 2-2

Brighton & Hove Albion (h) 1-0

Barnsley (a) 1-1

Derby County vs. Southampton, Sat 15th October, 15:00pm, The Championship

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