Arch rivals Derby County and Nottingham Forest go head-to-head for the second time this season next Monday, with promotion still in the sights of both teams.

The Reds have battled with the Rams for a place in the play-offs all season, but their bid for promotion has somewhat derailed since the departure of Aitor Karanka in January.

They have started to pick up under Martin O'Neill having gone unbeaten in their last three league games, but they still find themselves six points off the top six, and four points below their bitter rivals.

Derby manager Frank Lampard has seemingly adjusted to life in management with ease, guiding his side to within touching distance of the play-off spots after an impressive season so far.

You get the feeling that, under Lampard, Derby have mental toughness and a lot of fight about them, in contrast to the Derby sides in recent years that fall at the final hurdle in falling short in the play-offs or just outside of the top six.

But if you are a Derby fan, you have got to be shaking your head at Kenny Burns' latest comments - speaking ahead of the clash at the City Ground next Monday, the former Forest defender insisted that Derby would "choke" in their hunt for promotion, as well as criticising Lampard's inability to get the best out of his best players.

He told the Nottingham Post: "Overall, you have to say Frank Lampard has done well there - but they will still choke when it comes to trying to get promotion."

"Derby have got some good players, like Harry Wilson, Mason Mount, Tom Lawrence - but they haven’t got a clue how to use them. We can beat them, no question about that."

These comments are bound to raise eyebrows amongst the Pride Park faithful - first of all, nobody can predict who will finish in the Championship promotion places with the division being one of the tightest for a long time.

Also, it will be seen as bizarre to many that Burns has said that "Derby haven't got a clue how to use" the likes of Tom Lawrence, Mason Mount and Harry Wilson.

The trio have been absolutely sensational for Derby this term and have been massive players in the club's promotion push - Wilson has scored 12 goals and produced four assists this season, whilst Mount and Lawrence have also contributed to plenty of goals.

Whilst these comments may anger and simply dumbfound Derby fans initially, they have every right to be quietly confident now.

It could act as real motivation for Lampard and his supposedly under-performing players, and Burns may quickly regret making such a stark claim on Derby County...