DERBY keeper Andy Oakes squirmed with embarrassment as his past came home to roost on national television at the weekend.

The 6ft 4in stopper might have worn a smile as wide as the Trent after pulling off a match winning save on his debut against Sunderland to earn his side a precious victory in their fight for Premiership survival.

But later that night the former Burnley reject was left looking red-faced on Match of the Day when he was cruelly reminded of what he used to do for a living -- chasing chickens!

Just as Derby team-mate Malcolm Christie will always be known as the 'former shelf-stacker,' Oakes now looks set to be dogged by a past which once featured a stint in a poultry farm.

But the 24-year-old simply wants to be remembered as a Premiership keeper in his own right after spending the last two years as understudy to giant Estonian Mart Poom.

And tonight against Rovers, he looks set to be handed another chance to stake a claim for the number one jersey on a regular basis as Poom looks set to miss his side's fourth round replay with a shoulder injury.

"It was an enjoyable day on Saturday," said Oakes. "It's always good to win, but it was even better to keep a clean sheet on my debut.

"Although I have been waiting for a long time for my chance in the first team, I wasn't concerned about fitting in or rising to the challenge, because the occasion does that for you and the adrenaline takes you through -- it was unbelievable!

"I had a feeling I would be playing because I was involved in set-piece training towards the end of the week. Then I had a phone call from goalkeeping coach Eric Steele on Friday night to inform me I was in the side.

"Now, all I can do is be fit and available for selection then it's up to the manager."

Released by Burnley as an apprentice, Oakes began to rebuild his career in non-League football with Winsford United -- the club which also produced a certain Neville Southall.

His performances in the UniBond League soon alerted Hull City, who snapped him up in a £65,000 deal in December 1998. And six months later he was on the move again as Rams boss Jim Smith swooped to sign him in a £465,000 deal.

However, he's had to wait for his chance at Pride Park with fans favourite Poom an immovable object in the Derby first team. But an injury to the Supporters' Player of the Year has suddenly opened a door of opportunity.

And Smith will not be afraid of plunging the rookie into the FA Cup firing line as he eyes up a fifth round meeting with Bolton.

"He didn't have a lot to do on Saturday but what he did do, he did very well," said Smith. "He made a brilliant save right at the death which earned us all three points. And I'll have no hesitation throwing him in again tonight because Mart is struggling."

Smith looks set to welcome back influential trio Deon Burton, Darryl Powell and Craig Burley tonight after all three missed the original tie at Ewood 11 days ago.

But he's expecting another close encounter against a Rovers side he holds in high esteem.

"They've got a good balance between youth and experience so it's not going to be easy," said Smith.

"I like the likes of Matt Jansen, Damien Duff and David Dunn and they've also got the experience of Mark Hughes and Henning Berg, so it's a good blend."

"People say we went to Blackburn looking for a draw but we didn't go there for that. We just got pushed back that much we never got going."