"It's just about trying to win the next one": Paul Warne looks ahead to Bristol Rovers challenge

Derby County face a challenge this weekend as they come up against Bristol Rovers at Pride Park.

They are only four points behind the Rams and sit in tenth place slowly moving up the table.

The Rams look to push into the playoff spots as they are on the same number of points as sixth-placed Barnsley.

Paul Warne's side are looking to make it three league wins in a row following the international break but it won't be an easy task.

Looking ahead to the game, Warne recognises the challenge that his side could face. Speaking to Rams TV, he said: "We know Bristol Rovers will be a tough game. We'll put our best eleven out to start a game but we also have to have an eye on what they can do to us."

Saturday's game marks the start of a busy period with a heavy schedule full of games for the Rams. It will be a chance for Paul Warne's side to string some good results together assuming they can stay fit.

Warne added: "You're in football for the games and you want them to come thick and fast. It's just about trying to win the next one and we're doing everything we can. "I would think everyone would want a little more routine. After this next two weeks it becomes a little more stable and especially over Christmas, we'll probably moan a lot less about breaks in schedules!"

Bristol Rovers are at an interesting point in their season as they are operating under a caretaker manager in the form of Andy Managan after Joey Barton was sacked a month ago.

Since then, Managan has got Rovers up from 16th to 10th as they look to continue their good form on Saturday. Paul Warne says that being a caretaker has it's ups and downs, he added: "You don't have the hassles of player contracts and stuff like that.

"It's just the here and now, so you can just focus on the team and winning games. The team have been performing well under Andy Mangan and in fairness they are only two wins behind us.

"It's weird, it's a different role. He's done a lot better than I did in the role when I was at Rotherham."

In their last game, the Rams faced a disappointing 3-1 loss in an FA Cup first round replay against League Two side Crewe Alexandra. Since then, Paul Warne's side have had nearly two weeks to reflect on the loss, he said: "There's no point sulking over it, it's gone.

"We had the lads in and showed them things, but you just have to let it go at some stage. You just have to look forward to the next match, try to win that and then try and do the same with the next one.

"We're disappointed to exit the FA Cup but it's gone now and we just have to move on."

The Rams will be hoping to bounce back on Saturday with three points against Bristol Rovers.