STAN Ternent is ready to play it again against Fulham at Turf Moor on Wednesday night and pick the same side for the third consecutive game.

Having rewarded the men who forced the FA Cup replay at Loftus Road by keeping the same side against Derby County, his players repaid his faith with a comfortable 2-0 victory that lifted them four places up the table and kept the play-off dream alive.

He resisted the temptation to bring back Robbie Blake or give Paul Weller a start in midfield, and explained: "The players had earned it. The lads who have got the shirts are determined to hang on to them and I am delighted for them.

"There is no reason I can't continue with that side, they are in the driving seat.

"I have got Glen and the skipper to come back, we have got a good bench now and some of the lads aren't even changed.

"Against Derby it was a good team performance and all the players are playing well. Drissa had a whack and Branchy got a kick on his ankle but I hope they'll be okay."

It is all very different to the times when his side picked itself as he had so few bodies to pick from.

Tonight Ternent plans to head to London to watch the Cottagers in action as they face a Premiership derby clash against Spurs at White Hart Lane as his thoughts turn to Wednesday's big game.

"It is a smashing night to look forward to, a big match and we know we will be underdogs. They have got quality players but so have I."

And those players are certain to be in positive mood after a second straight league win, conceding just one goal in the last three games and a run of just one defeat in the past 11 games.

That was the capitulation against Reading earlier in the month and Ternent admitted: "After that match we had a meeting and the players felt that they had let themselves down.

"I don't think that will happen again. I am not saying we won't lose another game but we won't roll over like we did in that match."

The first half goals from strikers Ian Moore and Gareth Taylor, their ninth and 11th of the campaign respectively, were always going to be enough to defeat dispirited Derby, and Ternent said: "I was delighted for those two that they got them.

"Now we just need another couple of wins and we are safe. Once we get to 50 points we can crack on. It is still very tight and any team can beat any other on the day.

"I hope the players can maintain that level of commitment, there is a great spirit within the club."

The commitment and spirit will be needed in 48 hours time when Fulham arrive at Turf Moor with a quarter-final trip to Watford up for grabs.

Tonight all Clarets eyes will be on Fulham as Cup fever grips the town. Ternent had demanded that his players concentrate on the league game and they did that in style.

Now everyone can focus on the Fulham match and the hope of another memorable Turf Moor Cup night.