FORMER Burnley goalkeeper Lee Grant returns to his old stomping ground on Saturday insisting Steve Cotterill's men will fight all the way to reach the play-offs.

Grant heads back to Turf Moor with second-placed Derby exactly a year after temporarily plying his trade with Burnley.

The 23-year-old joined the Clarets last November as cover for suspended Brian Jensen and, during a two-month stay, enjoyed a clean sheet in his one and only appearance against Leicester City.

He is now part of a high-flying Rams squad that has catapulted into the Championship's automatic promotion spots on the back of eight wins out of nine.

The Pride Park outfit will look for another three points in the final fixture before Christmas, but Grant is not expecting any presents from Burnley.

"We are going into the game looking at Burnley as a threat to our play-off spot and our current position in the league," said Grant.

"Burnley are one of those teams in contention for the play-offs and automatic promotion this year.

"They will work hard all season to try and finish up in the top six.

"Turf Moor is not an easy place to visit. I've found that Burnley keep a lot of clean sheets and work hard defensively.

"If Burnley manage to nick an early goal, it's difficult to come back. But we are hoping that we get the job done.

Grant added: "I always look out for Burnley's results and I keep in touch with a couple of people now and again.

"It's nice to see the lads doing well, I'm pleased for them.

"It does not surprise me that they have done so well.

"I know from experience how hard they work and how much they put into driving the squad along.

"Unfortunately, they will pick up an injury or two and do not have the biggest of squads.

"But they work harder than clubs with bigger squads and that says a lot about Burnley."

The Clarets enjoyed a terrific start to the campaign, at one point topping the Championship, and only recently slipped out of the league's top six for the first time.

Grant believes the preparation and determination of manager Cotterill is a key reason for Burnley's prominence around around the top end of the table.

"Burnley is a very well run club," explained Grant. "It's a nice set-up - the training ground is good and the manager has put a lot in place there.

"Steve Cotterill a very good young manager. Burnley are definitely in good hands.

"I know what he is like and he will be pushing hard for them to get back up the table.

"Having worked with him, I know he won't be happy that they have dipped out of the play-off places.

"I have to say he's much in the same mould as our manager (Billy Davies). They are very, very passionate - it comes across on the pitch and in the dressing room.

"Their preparation on the opposition is always very thorough, they don't leave anything to chance. His determination rubs off on all the players."