COLIN HENDRY believes Rovers must pick up the points at Derby County in front of the Sky TV cameras on Sunday to keep the pressure on Manchester United - and give a glimmer of hope to the rest of the chasing pack.

For the giant Scot knows that the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Leeds will all be wanting Rovers to keep up with the blistering pace the defending champions have set.

United currently lead the table by five points from Rovers with Chelsea a further two points adrift.

Hendry, who was in commanding form against Wigan on Saturday after missing the Crystal Palace game after a recurrence of his knee injury, said: "It is important for us to keep up winning, especially after drawing our two games over the festive period.

"It is going to be a tough test for us because Derby have got a very good record at home. And with the likes of Paulo Wanchope and Francesco Baiano they have plenty of attacking options.

"But we have done very well away from home and it is up to us to keep up that record and keep the pressure on Manchester United."

He added: "I think some of the other sides chasing United will also be looking for us to win to keep up with the leaders." Hendry knows the extent of the task Rovers face at Pride Park where Derby County have not lost a game all season - the only other team with an unbeaten home record in the Premiership is Manchester United.

He said: "At home they've beaten Arsenal and Newcastle and should have won against Manchester United so we know what we are up against."

Billy McKinlay will be available for the trip to the Midlands after completing his two-match ban and will compete with skipper Tim Sherwood and Garry Flitcroft for the two central midfield positions.

Rovers' FA Cup fourth round trip to either Sheffield Wednesday or Watford has been put back to Monday, January 26, to be screened live on Sky TV.

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