ROBBIE Blake has fond memories of Burnley's last game against Derby County, the match that kick-started his Clarets career.

Now he is hoping that tomorrow's clash at Turf Moor will be a similar launch pad as he looks to re-establish himself in the starting line-up.

Not that Blake has any complaints about being left on the bench for the FA Cup tie at Fulham last weekend as he explained: "That is the gaffer's decision to make, he says who should be in the side.

"We have got a good squad here and there are lots of strikers going for two places. It was a fantastic performance by the lads at Fulham, they all worked so hard for each other.

"To go to any Premiership club and force a draw is good and it has been clear this season that Loftus Road is a difficult place to go. The lads are delighted to have them back at Turf."

The nod went to Gareth Taylor and Ian Moore at Fulham, with Moore featuring in a more withdrawn role as Stan Ternent looked to tie down the opposition with a five-man midfield while still offering the threat of pace.

But management is all about selecting horses for courses and so there is every likelihood that Blake, the club's top scorer with 11 this season, will be back in the side tomorrow.

If he does play, it will give him the opportunity to impress Ternent and make sure that he is in the side for the big Cup replay against Fulham on Wednesday night.

Blake will be eager to repeat his display at Pride Park from earlier in the season when his form was a big factor in securing the Clarets first win of the season and he confessed: "It was a big turning point for the club and for me.

"We won the game and went on a good run from there and so we are all hoping that we can do the same again on Saturday. A win tomorrow and we will be pushing towards the top six again.

"It was a difficult first half at Derby but the gaffer switched it to 4-4-2 for the second and it worked well for us.

"I scored my first goal for the club and, after my hernia operation, it was the start of me getting a long run in the side. That was what I needed, to play a lot of games.

"It had been a frustrating time for me but since then I have got my rewards although I keep saying that there is more to come from me. I still think I can play better and I want to score more goals."

He is well aware of the importance of scoring more goals as the Clarets seek to climb the table, something he is convinced is far from a forlorn hope.

"If you look at the table it looks like we are struggling but we are actually only seven points off the top six," he said. "We have also got games in hand on a lot of the teams that are above us and even third place does not look safe."

Derby are one point ahead of the Clarets but have played two games more.

Blake will be hoping to help make it a double for the season against the side relegated from the Premiership last season and ensure he gets a place in the side to take on top flight Fulham next week in the process.