SHAUN Barker says that Burton Albion will be relishing the chance to overcome local rivals Derby County on Saturday.
Barker, who announced yesterday that he will retire at the end of the season, played more than 100 times for the Rams but has spent the last two seasons with the Brewers.
He made his Burton Albion debut against Derby last season, coming on as a late substitute to help Nigel Clough’s side beat the Pride Park side 1-0 at the Pirelli Stadium, the first ever league meeting between the two sides.
The Brewers head into the game on Saturday bottom of the Championship table, but Barker says that a win on Saturday would keep Burton in the fight for survival and would provide a huge boost for the fans and squad alike.
He said: “If we win at the weekend, we will still be in (with a chance of staying up). That is what we want, it is now all about survival, trying to stay in this division. We obviously succeeded last season.
“Derby have picked up a bit of form over the last few weeks, so we will be going into it trying to beat ‘that team from down the road’. We did it last season, we got four points off of them last season, and we were very disappointed to not get a draw at Pride Park earlier in the season.
“If we can get all three points at the weekend it will be a huge boost for everyone, just for the fans to see a home win and for the team to experience a home win.
“It is one of those games that I am sure every single lad will be relishing playing in, the manager will be looking forward to it and if we can get a win, hopefully everyone’s spirits will lift up, no matter what happens towards the end of the season.