DERBY boss Jim Smith is relishing the prospect of returning to Ewood for a fourth round FA Cup clash with Blackburn later this month.

Yesterday's draw paired the two clubs together after Rovers booked their place in the hat courtesy of Saturday's 2-0 win over Chester.

For Smith, it represents a trip down memory lane after he managed the Ewood club during the Seventies.

But first the Rams chief must concentrate on preserving Derby's Premiership status with vital six pointers against Middlesbrough and Manchester City coming up.

"We'll start thinking about Blackburn in a fortnight but we've got two very big Premiership games before then and staying up has to be our priority," said Smith.

"But I really enjoyed my time at Blackburn and I still have a number of good friends in the area.

"Unfortunately, as has been the case for me during my career, I'd gone by the time the money had arrived."