DERBY County boss Jim Smith has warned his Premiership stars to be on their guard - or face a possible FA Cup shock at the hands of Burnley.

The Rams are stuck in the Premiership's relegation zone going into Saturday's third-round tie.

And their record of seven defeats in nine League games plus a Worthington Cup reverse to Bolton at their Pride Park base means they have little cause for over-confidence.

"Given our home record we can't take it easy against anybody," Smith admitted.

Despite County's battle to avoid the drop, the vastly experienced Derby chief still considers the FA Cup as an important competition and was critical of Manchester United's absence from it. He is therefore keen to avoid an upset against the Clarets, who he regards as dangerous opponents.

He added: "Burnley are up there in their league and have got a lot of experienced players.

"If any of our players think they can take it easy we will be in trouble.

"We have to concentrate on doing our job right."

Even though they are in the Premiership's bottom three and have struggled to score goals this season, they have managed just 15 in 17 league games, Derby still boast a clutch of internationals.

Recent midfield signings Craig Burley and ex-Manchester City star Georgi Kinkladze will provide a high-quality platform for the front pair of Dean Sturridge and Jamaican World Cup player Deon Burton.

Neverthless, Burnley keeper Paul Crichton is optimistic.

He said: "I think we've got a good chance, to be honest. They are not having the best of times and we are doing marvellously. "The lads are happy to be in the third round with a nice draw and hopefully we will get through."

And he insisted that playing at Pride Park with over 20,000 in the ground will not worry the Clarets.

"We are lucky because we have got a good ground ourselves so the big ground status doesn't really bother us," added the in-form Burnley number one.

The Clarets have sold 4,500 tickets for the tie and the remaining 500 will be on sale at the club until 7pm tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Burnley have been allocated 3,500 tickets for the Boxing Day clash at Bury, which went on sale to season-ticket holders today.

Last night's scheduled reserve game at Turf Moor was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

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