Derby County

Preston v Derby (playoff 1st leg)
Preston winger Eddie Lewis is close to returning after an operation on his appendicitis but may not be ready until the second leg. Defender Graham Alexander is expected to have recovered from a thigh strain sustained at Derby last Sunday. Derby midfielder Inigo Idiakez is out of the play-offs after tearing a groin muscle in training. Striker Grzegorz Rasiak has not yet recovered from a hernia operation, while Chris Makin has a heel injury. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BIG-MATCH FACTS PRESTON NORTH END and Derby set out on the Play Off trail that could lead to a much coveted £20 million place in the Premiership. These clubs, that finished fifth and fourth in the Championship table respectively, are no strangers to the drama of this end-of-season competition but neither have gained promotion through it. For Lilywhites manager Billy Davies it's a first taste of the Play Offs, but for the club itself a sixth such adventure. The Deepdale side succumbed at the semi-final stage when in the third League level in 1988/89, and 1998/99 and as a fourth tier club in 1994/95. They reached Wembley as Third Division (fourth level) finalists in the 1993/94 season, only to lose 4-2 to Wycombe. Most recently Preston beat Birmingham in the 2000/01 Division One semi-finals, but then lost 3-0 to Bolton at Wembley. North End picked up just one point from their last three games in the regular League season, but face Derby looking to extend an undefeated home run to 10 games in all competitions, stretching back to the FA Cup Third Round loss to West Brom. Leeds were the last club to win a League game at Deepdale (2-4 on 6 November 2004), since when the Lilywhites have won eight and drawn six. DERBY COUNTY narrowly escaped relegation last season, and were tipped to struggle again this term but manager George Burley has built the side into a formidable force to tackle a third Play Off campaign. The Rams' first experience was unsuccessful in 1991/92 when they finished third in the Second Division and lost to Blackburn in the semi-finals. Two seasons later a sixth place finish, again in the second level (Division One), saw them beat Millwall in the Play Off semi-finals, but lose at Wembley 2-1 to East Midlands rivals Leicester. Burley is not short of Play Off experience. He was in charge of Ipswich when the Suffolk side qualified in four consecutive seasons, losing in the semi-finals three times, before defeating Barnsley at Wembley to gain promotion to the Premiership at the end of the 1999/2000 campaign. Derby last competed in the Premiership in 2001/02, whereas Preston - the first ever Football League champions - have not been in the top flight since 1960/61. Home wins have resulted in each of the last five times these sides have met in the League and the Lancashire club are looking to beat County for a fifth successive time on their home turf. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THIS SEASON'S LEAGUE MEETINGS: Preston North End 3-0 Derby County 27 November 2004 - Ref: Michael Jones Preston scorers: Alexander 13, 43 pen, Cresswell 8 Derby County 3-1 Preston North End 8 May 2005 - Ref: Phil Crossley (Kent) Derby scorers: Idiakez 45, Smith 49, Peschisolido 90 Preston scorer: Agyemang 69 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS League: Preston 42 wins, Derby 34, Draws 12 HEAD TO HEAD at Preston League: Preston 30 wins, Derby 7, Draws

Burley confident for second leg
Derby County boss George Burley feels his side have a good chance of beating Preston on Thursday to grab their place in the Championship play-off final. Burley's injury ravaged side were beaten 2-0 in Sunday's first leg. "A key thing is that away goals don't count double and I experienced two losses because of that, so that help us," he told BBC Radio Derby. "If you look at their away form this season, it's not been that good, so that gives us some encouragement."

Burley rules out Rasiak comeback
Derby's Grzegorz Rasiak is unlikely to be fit in time for the play-off semi-final against Preston, but he could return if County reach the final. "He is doing some light work with the physio and is gradually building-up," manager George Burley told BBC Radio Derby ahead of Thursday's match. "The game's come a bit early but we'll keep an eye on his progress. If it had been Saturday we may have risked him." The Poland striker, 26, is on the comeback trail from a hernia operation.

Quartet are released by Rams boss
Derby manager George Burley has released four players, including captain Ian Taylor - but offered defender Pablo Mills a new contract. Midfielder Marco Reich, striker Junior and defender Chris Makin are not being offered new deals - although Makin's future will be reviewed in the summer. "It has been a difficult decision," Burley told the Rams' website. "All these players have done their best for the club, and they all depart with our best wishes for the future."

Rasiak is named in Polish squad
Derby striker Grzegorz Rasiak has been named in the Poland squad for their games against Albania and Azerbaijan. The Poles host Albania in a friendly in Szczecin on 29 May and then travel to play Azerbaijan in a World Cup qualifier in Baku on 4 June. Rasiak,who finished the season as the Rams' leading scorer with 17 goals, will be looking to put his side's play-off defeat by Preston behind him. Poland currently lie second in Group Six behind England.

Derby deny Burley investigation
Derby have denied reports they have launched an investigation following newspaper allegations about the conduct of manager George Burley. Burley said he was considering his future amid reports some board members were looking to get rid of him. But a club statement said: "We are not conducting an investigation. "The entire board is pleased with the club's progress over the past year. We look forward to making further progress next season with George at the helm." Burley told BBC Radio Five Live that he had been unhappy with certain issues at Pride Park for some time. He said he was waiting for their reaction to the newspaper allegations, which he strenuously denies, before deciding what to do. Former Ipswich boss Burley took charge at Derby in March 2003, following John Gregory's unsuccessful reign. Despite the Rams starting the season among the favourites for relegation, and without any money to spend, Burley took Derby to the Championship play-off semi-finals this season.

Rams prioritise defensive signing
Signing a quality defender is a high priority for Derby's Murdo Mackay after Wayne Thomas turned down a move to Pride Park in favour of Burnley. The Rams director of football said: "We are looking for centre-back cover as Tom Huddlestone, who played there most of the season, won't be around. "There's obviously Mo Konjic, Michael Johnson and Pablo Mills but we'd probably need a bit more cover there. "We have to improve quality of the squad," he told the Evening Telegraph.

Rams say no Rasiak bids received
Derby director of football Murdo Mackay says no bid has been received for striker Grzegorz Rasiak. The Pole, who finished Rams top scorer with 17 goals last season, has been linked with a move from Pride Park. Mackay told Rams website: "As far as we're concerned he's going nowhere and we've had no offers. "There's always tittle-tattle flying around and it's no surprise Grzegorz has been mentioned considering the kind of season he had."

Mills seeks improved Derby deal
Derby County defender Pablo Mills has attracted the interest of a number of clubs but wants to see if he can get an improved deal with the Rams. Mills' agent Gino Culbertson told BBC Radio Derby: "We are waiting for Derby to come back to us with a better offer. "But time is moving on and there has been definite interest from a number of other clubs. "If there is room to negotiate further with Derby then we'll be happy to sit down and discuss."

Burley quits as manager of Derby
George Burley has resigned as manager of Championship side Derby County after claiming his position was "untenable". Burley saved the club from relegation after joining as interim manager in March 2003 and led them to the play-offs in the 2004-2005 season. Derby director of football Murdo Mackay has also offered his resignation. "My position has become untenable," said Burley, but Derby chairman John Sleightholme accused him of not making clear "his real reasons" for resigning. Sleightholme said: "George raised a specific concern with the board, the board had a meeting and complied with George's request and he agreed to continue as manager. "The board, having satisfied George's requests, are disappointed he has not made clear his real reasons for leaving." Mackay's resignation has yet to be accepted by the Derby board. Burley was thought to have had a difficult relationship with Mackay. "I offered my resignation late on Monday," Mackay told BBC Sport. "I was surprised to hear about George's own resignation." Burley is believed to have been upset midfielder Tom Huddlestone was sold to Tottenham against his wishes. The former Ipswich boss also said newspaper allegations about his conduct had "deeply hurt him", although the club last month publicly denied they had launched an internal inquiry. The Scot's departure will be a blow to the club who he saved from relegation in his first season before leading them to the semi-finals of the play-offs during the last campaign. "It is with great regret I wish to announce my decision not to continue as manager of Derby County Football Club," announced Burley. After saving Derby from relegation, Burley had been rewarded with a two-year deal in May 2003. "It has been an honour and a privilege to work for this great club and to have enjoyed a memorable relationship with such special fans." He added: "I hope that the club can continue to build upon the considerable progress which the team has achieved over the last two seasons, and I wish the club every success in the future."

Fans call for Burley explanation
Derby fans want former boss George Burley to shed light on the "ongoing issue" which led to his resignation. Burley claimed "my position has become untenable" but Derby chairman John Sleightholme accused him of not making clear "his real reasons" for resigning. And now calls are increasing for Burley, who saved the club from relegation in 2003 and led them to the play-offs in 2005, to respond. Derby director of football Murdo Mackay also offered to resign on Tuesday. Sleightholme said: "George raised a specific concern with the board, the board had a meeting and complied with George's request and he agreed to continue as manager. "The board, having satisfied George's requests, are disappointed he has not made clear his real reasons for leaving." Mackay's resignation has yet to be accepted by the Derby board. Burley was thought to have had a difficult relationship with Mackay. "I offered my resignation late on Monday," Mackay told BBC Sport. "I was surprised to hear about George's own resignation." Burley is believed to have been upset midfielder Tom Huddlestone was sold to Tottenham against his wishes. The former Ipswich boss also said newspaper allegations about his conduct had "deeply hurt him", although the club last month publicly denied they had launched an internal inquiry. The Scot's departure will be a blow to the club who he saved from relegation in his first season before leading them to the semi-finals of the play-offs during the last campaign. "It is with great regret I wish to announce my decision not to continue as manager of Derby County Football Club," announced Burley. After saving Derby from relegation, Burley had been rewarded with a two-year deal in May 2003. "It has been an honour and a privilege to work for this great club and to have enjoyed a memorable relationship with such special fans." He added: "I hope that the club can continue to build upon the considerable progress which the team has achieved over the last two seasons, and I wish the club every success in the future."

Millwall hint at move for Burley
Millwall are close to announcing a new manager to replace Dennis Wise and could make a move for George Burley. The Scot quit as Derby manager on Tuesday and chairman Jeff Burnige said he would take his interest "further." "I came close to making an appointment recently, but now a new candidate in George Burley has emerged. "Given what he has achieved in the game, I am bound to be interested in someone of his quality," Burnige told the club website. "I can confirm that the wheels are in motion, although I still want to keep my cards fairly close to my chest. "I anticipate making a further announcement next Tuesday."

Preston to offer Davies new deal
Preston will offer Billy Davies a new deal after Derby expressed an interest in him becoming their new manager. Derby have drawn up a list of 50 potential candidates to replace former manager George Burley. And a Derby director approached Preston chairman Derek Shaw at a chairman's meeting at which he mentioned Davies. "We would fight tooth and nail to keep him here," Shaw told Preston's website. "We are currently in discussions with him over a new contract." Burley quit Pride Park on Tuesday due to his poor relationship with director of football Murdo Mackay. Derby chief executive Keith told the club's website: "We're aware we have to make the right decision for the club. "We're going about this is the correct manner - any approaches will be made by seeking the necessary clearances."

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