The Derby Telegraph are reporting that Gary Rowett is aware of the different challenge that Fulham will pose tonight.

After Rowett's side narrowly beat a physical Queens Park Rangers team 1-0 last Friday, Rowett believes that the approach against Fulham will be completely different.

The Derby boss explained that Fulham like to crowd the middle of the pitch and play fluid football.

The former Birmingham manager also praised Jokanovic's defensive improvements, saying that Fulham were much better balanced this season with their defensive solidity.

On tonight's opposition, Rowett said:

"Perhaps they will have less of a physical presence up front in terms of that first ball and so we might not have to screen quite as obviously as we did with Matt Smith, which I thought Bradley Johnson did fantastically well.

"You have to block the middle of the pitch up because that is where Fulham want to get all of their bodies.

"They have always been a very good passing team, always very fluid in their approach, and they like to try and dominate possession of the ball."

This game is also vitally important for Derby County in their hunt for the play-off spots.

With Fulham currently occupying sixth spot, they are the target for the Rams to catch.

Derby are currently eight behind with seven games to play but they could narrow that gap to five points with a win.

However, a loss and Derby's play-off hopes will be all but over, with eleven points separating them from the top six.

Talking about the magnitude of tonight's game, Rowett added:

"It will be a slightly different game but we are at home, we need to win games.

"It is pretty clear for us.

"Yes, we have to contain the opposition but our main aim is for the opposition to try and contain us, and that will be our main focus.

"We will have to be at our very best to get a result."