A DERBY City Council street cleaner and a Land Rover were involved in a crash today.

The collision happened at 9.40am and involved the street cleaner and a Land Rover Freelander on Stanley Road, off Harvey Road, Alvaston.

The street cleaner ended up on its side and the Land Rover landed on its roof. There have been no injuries and the vehicles are awaiting recovery.

Police are advising people to avoid the area due to traffic congestion.

Officers in attendance of RTC Harvey road towards spider island. Road blocked. Please avoid!

— PCSO Rich Williams (@AlvastonSNT) October 13, 2014

LONG-STANDING Derby city councillor Evonne Williams says it will be "an honour" to run against Dame Margaret Beckett, after she was selected as Tory candidate for Derby South at next May's General Election.

Mrs Williams is, so far, up against Dame Margaret and Liberal Democrat councillor Joe Naitta. UKIP and other parties are yet to announce their candidates.

Dame Margaret has been MP for Derby South since 1983 and was the first woman to be both the Foreign Secretary and to lead Labour.

Mrs Williams said: "Women in politics need to have a role model and, as a role model, I think she's done a tremendous job."

But she was more scathing about Dame Margaret's party.

She said: "The Conservatives' long-term economic plan is benefiting Derby with employment figures hitting record highs, but the job isn't over and Labour put these hard-won gains at risk."

Mrs Williams, 42, of Borrowfield Road, Spondon, said her aims, if elected, would be to bring more jobs to the constituency and ensure there were enough school places.

She will also campaign for a change of rules so that housing developers have to declare their plans for infrastructure, such as schools and doctors' surgeries, in their planning application for new sites.

Currently, she said, this does not have to happen until after planning permission is granted.

Her point was made as the city council moves to finalise a list of sites earmarked for future housing which will include thousands on the edge of the city.

Mrs Williams has represented Spondon on the city council since 2000 and was cabinet member for young people and children's services from 2010 to 2012.

A school governor at Asterdale Primary and trustee at a number of city charities, she is also a former NHS non-executive director.

Her part-time day job is working for the YMCA, for which she mentors young people. She said that, if elected, she would also be "banging the drum" to get more companies on to new industrial estates in the constituency, such as Commercial Park, Alvaston.

Dame Margaret said the points Mrs Williams made concerned issues she had been working on with the city council for some time.

Mr Naitta agreed that creating more jobs was important, in what is a "very industrialised" constituency and said he would also be campaigning for a raise in the minimum wage to £9 per hour.

The current minimum wage for over-21s is £6.50 per hour, raised from £6.31 at the beginning of this month. Mr Miliband is proposing to raise the minimum wage to £8 if Labour wins the election next year.

The Conservatives say that the £6.50 figure already represents an above-inflation rise.

POLICE in Derby are appealing for information following an attempted break-in in Sandiacre.

Sometime between Friday, October 10 and Sunday, October 12, offenders attempted to force open the front door of a property in Norbury Way.

Damage was caused to the front door of the house but the would-be burglars were unable to get inside.

Anyone with any information or who may have seen someone acting suspiciously around the time of the incident is asked to contact DC Lesley Smith on 101, quoting crime reference 43126-14.

AS a solution to the council's failure to resolve the fly-tipping issue in Normanton, E G Redfern asks: "Why not place a skip in one of the streets concerned on a trial basis?"

Would Mr Redfern like a skip full of old beds, white goods and carpets outside his house in Allestree?

Why then should the ratepayers of Normanton be obliged to accept skips in their streets?

Martin Bardoe

Ashbourne Road

Derby

THIS weekend I had the pleasure of heading out into the Derbyshire Dales for a leisurely drive and walk along the High Peak Trail.

Well, I say pleasure but, in fact, it turned out to be anything but.

And as much as I hate to bash anyone for enjoying their hobby, especially one as healthy as cycling, the day out was completely ruined by the attitude of some, both on the roads and on the trail.

Now, to be fair, I do have plenty of friends who are keen bikers and I've even been known to jump on the saddle myself for a ride round Carsington Water. So I've listened sympathetically to friends' tales of near-misses with speeding drivers whizzing past bikes, leaving just a hair's breadth between the two.

But, let's be honest, who hasn't felt slightly intimidated when driving along a narrow country lane and coming across a pack of Lycra-clad bikers not quite going as fast as the cars would like to but, nevertheless, doing a decent pace.

Certainly fast enough to make overtaking difficult and bunched up in such a way that drivers need a long, clear stretch of road to even be able to consider such a manoeuvre.

I encountered four such packs on my drive out. Often two and three abreast, and totally packed together so I couldn't even overtake a couple at a time. It was all or nothing.

Did they think they were taking part in the Tour de France? I mean, surely common sense would tell them that they were creating a hazard for drivers behind them?

When I did manage to get past them, I was rewarded with a rather unpleasant two-finger gesture from the leader but I'm still not sure why!

I can't help but feel cyclists think they are somehow morally superior to other road users. After all, they aren't guzzling the earth's precious resources like us selfish car owners. They seem to consider the country lanes to be theirs and that they have some kind of absolute right to ride without any consideration for other road user.

And talking of consideration for other people, my experience on the trail convinced me that the biking fraternity really doesn't give two hoots for anyone else.

Just five minutes into my walk, I saw a young child narrowly escape a potentially serious collision.

She must have been about seven or eight, and was running ahead of her family, squealing with delight as she played around, when something on the other side of the trail caught her eye. She ran straight across the path just at the time when a manic speed-freak came haring past on his mountain bike. It was so close that I actually gasped in horror.

Bear in mind these old railway-line trails have been designed for everyone to enjoy – cyclists, walkers, dog owners and horse-riders. So why do cyclists feel obliged to use them as time trial routes – and then have the gall to complain when anyone gets in their way?

It's not like you can always hear them approach – a bell seems an alien concept to most of them – and, if they do make a noise, it seems to be an angry expletive to move out of the way. Certainly not child friendly!

There have been a few times when I have been walking my dog round Carsington when I have encountered a similar problem. I keep him on a lead because I do try to be considerate to others around me. Not everyone loves dogs, especially ones with muddy paws who like to greet anyone they meet with a big sloppy kiss – and I can accept that.

So why can't the cyclists accept that they too need to be aware of others' pleasure and enjoyment. To be totally honest, it makes me laugh in a way – after all, the trail is hardly a difficult route, my little girl used to do it when she was just eight – yet there they are, dressed up in team-colour Lycra, pedaling away like an Olympic gold depended on it.

I'm not unsympathetic to cyclists. I know there are inconsiderate car drivers, I know there are groups of walkers who insist upon walking five-abreast. But I also know what I experienced this weekend didn't do anything to dispel cyclists' reputation as arrogant, selfish and inconsiderate road hogs.

SCOUTS from Derbyshire took part in the Rampage adventure at Drum Hill Scout campsite.

Twenty-four teams of girls and boys from across the county entered the competition, with teams of six Scouts taking on eight challenges.

The bases at the camp included abseiling and climbing; a space hopper relay; target shooting; fire-lighting and boiling water; mountain biking, cannon relay (as seen at the Edinburgh Tattoo); circus skills and pioneering.

Derbyshire County Commissioner Tom Stoddart was present to award trophies and certificates.

He was particularly pleased to see so many volunteers – nearly 50 on the day – helping to run the activities.

One Scout was overheard saying: "We might not be doing very well on the bases but we're having a brilliant time and haven't stopped smiling all the way round."

A team of girls were delighted to tell their leaders: "We beat the boys at pioneering!"

Overall winners of the competition were Biggin and Hartington, who clocked up and impressive 648 points.

The runners-up in the competition were 3rd Buxton followed by 1st Chapel-en-le-Frith.

All the teams were fantastic and put in lots of effort to make it a very rewarding day.

Scouting offers challenges and adventure to girls and boys throughout the county with Beavers aged six to eight years; Cubs eight to ten-and-a-half; Scouts are ten-and-a-half to 14; Explorers are 14-18. There is also Scout Network, which is for adults aged over 18 who wish to carry on their Scouting activities without taking on the responsibility of a leadership role.

To join in the fun and adventure contact Tom Stoddart at cc@derbyshirescouts.org or visit the organisation's website www.derbyshirescouts.org.

IT'S nice to see Derby can find the money for three homes for asylum seekers but it can't keep homes open for the elderly, shuts toilets and can't afford a flowers in the flower beds.

Also, I see desires to build a new Assembly Rooms. I suppose this will become Derby's latest eyesore.

T E Glover

Nottingham Road

Borrowash

ROADWORKS

A52 Borrowash to M1 J25: Until October 14, the eastbound carriageway will be closed from 8pm to 6am for resurfacing.

M1 Junctions 28 to 31: A 50mph speed limit is in place and lane closures are taking place. Resurfacing will be carried out on seven bridges between junction 30 near Chesterfield and junction 31 near Sheffield.

A38 From Mickleover to Toyota, Derby. The southbound carriageway will be closed for resurfacing from October 16 to November 18, from 8pm to 6am. Lay-bys will be also closed 24 hours a day. Diversions will be signed.

M1 Junction 24/A50: Work to improve the capacity and traffic flows at M1 Junction 24 has now commenced. This week, from 8pm to 5am unless stated, the following roads will be affected:

Closure of the A50 eastbound carriageway between Warren Lane junction and M1 Junction 24 between Monday and Friday.

Closure of A50 westbound lane two between Monday and Friday.

Additional lane closure from junction on A453 northbound to Junction 24 on Monday and Tuesday.

Offside lane closure to A453 northbound, Monday to Friday.

Closure of the inner ring of the east, west and north quadrants of Junction 24 between Monday and Friday, from 9.15pm to 5am.

Closure of the west quadrant of Junction 24 outer ring on Monday and Tuesday.

Closure of south bridge outer ring at Junction 24 between Monday and Friday, 9.15pm to 5am.

Closure of M1 northbound exit slip road between Monday and Friday, 9.15pm to 5am.

Closure of the M1 southbound exit slip road additional lane between Monday and Thursday.

Closure of southbound exit slip road lanes one and two on Friday between 9.15pm and 5am.

SPEED CAMERAS

Mobile speed cameras will be at the following locations until Sunday:

A615 Tansley to Wessington

A57 Snake Pass

A609 Stanley Common

A616 Clowne

A6007 Codnor to Heanor

A6135 Station Road, Renishaw

A608 Smalley

Derby Road, Stanley

A6 Ashford in the Water

A623 Stoney Middleton to Peak Forest

A514 Swadlincote

A6 Alvaston to Raynesway

A5111 Raynesway to Alvaston

Acorn Way, Chaddesden

B5010 London Road, Shardlow

Hartshay Hill, Ripley

B6179 Butterley Hill, Ripley

BUSES

A weekly community bus service, set up by Alvaston Neighbourhood Board, will continue to serve Wilmorton every Wednesday until Christmas. It is available to elderly and disabled passengers.

They can get on from the stop on Ellesmere Avenue at 10am, after which the bus picks up passengers on Ascot Drive, opposite Bowmer Road, before dropping off and picking up at the Shopmobility shop on the Morledge at 10.30am.

It will leave at 10.40am and returns to Ellesmere Avenue, following the same route, and leaves that stop at 11.30am and again at 12.15pm.

TRAINS

From today until Friday, the 5am Derby to London St Pancras service will depart from Derby three minutes earlier than scheduled at 4.57am, one minute earlier from East Midlands Parkway at 5.10am, Loughborough at 5.17am and Leicester at 5.28am.

The 5.19am Derby to London St Pancras service will depart two minutes earlier from Derby at 5.17am, Long Eaton at 5.26am and Leicester at 5.41am.

A 22-YEAR-OLD Derby man was stabbed in the leg during an argument in the city.

The victim suffered stab wounds during the altercation in Mill Street, at about 5.30pm on Saturday.

Police and ambulance attended the incident, which was close to the Sainsbury's store on the corner of Nuns Street.

The man was taken to the Royal Derby Hospital for treatment and later discharged.

Any witnesses or anyone with information should call DC Rebecca Clulow on 101.

A DEAF teenager carer will miss out on a life-changing skiing trip because his family can't afford the hundreds of pounds for an interpreter.

Chris Martin will be forced to miss the trip – but his family believe the £2,500 should be paid by Derby City Council.

Anne said £950 is for Chris's travel and accommodation on the trip. Another £950 is for the interpreter to go and £750 is for the interpreter's wages.

The 15-year-old cares for his dad and will be left behind while his JCB Academy friends go on the trip if it is not paid by Thursday.

His mother, Anne Martin, says she has been left "mortified".

Anne, of Meadow View Close, Oakwood, said: "This is disgusting. Where are the equal opportunity and anti-discrimination laws?

"Our son is being discriminated against because he is deaf.

"We feel that these activities are more important for Chris as social interaction and these sorts of 'away from home' experiences help him to become more confident and able to function in the hearing world.

"It's awful for him and it has left me feeling heartbroken. It's such a big thing for him, he really looks forward to it.

"The trip is great for him and means so much because it really builds his confidence," she added.

"It will be a break away from spending time caring for his dad because that is how he spends most of his time.

"It will be the last time he can go as well because he leaves next year.

"The council have told me they have provided funding in the past for him, so why won't they now?"

The trip is to Austria and is planned for February.

His dad, Anthony, is completely deaf and has kidney failure.

Anne said Chris started to lose his hearing between the ages of two and seven, despite being told by medics that they were confident he would not.

She said: "Chris is very clever. We have had to fight this prejudice all the way. It is awful for him.

"He is very gifted and is a fantastic son. He has fought and overcome a lot of stuff in his life."

Anne said Chris has got hopes of working with water in his future career after it was an early passion.

She said: "He is very determined and he can do anything he would like to do.

"He seems to be very interested in the rivers or a job to make sure people have a clean water supply.

"He just loves water and always has.

She said: "I really do not think it is a fair thing to do."

A spokesman for JCB said the company put in a request for the costs to be met but it was turned down.

Nobody at the school was available to comment.

Nobody at Derby City Council could respond by the time the Derby Telegraph went to print.

SIMON Smith, 31, of William Street, Derby, was fined £85, ordered to pay £150 compensation, £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge for stealing a bicycle on August 8 and meat from Morrisons in Derby worth £150 on August 4.

MARIUSZ Dziublewski, 32, of Normanton Road, Normanton, was fined £300, ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge for drink-driving in Ingleby Road, near Swarkestone, on May 10. Dziublewski was also banned from driving for 17 months and no separate penalty was imposed for driving without insurance on the same date.

JOHN Mason, 30, of Stepping Lane, Derby, was jailed for two weeks for stealing £5.50 of multi-vitamins from Boots in Derby on July 21. The offence took place while he was subject to a suspended sentence imposed in September for shoplifting in March.

JAKE Centkowski, 22, of Church Street, Littleover, was fined a total of £220, ordered to pay £35 costs and a £20 victim surcharge for failing to stop following an accident in Western Road, Normanton, and driving without insurance on June 28.

DERBY County have recalled Mason Bennett from his loan spell at Bradford City.

The 18-year-old striker was due to stay at Bradford until January.

He played 13 games for the Bantams, eight as a substitute, and scored one goal.

Rams defender Tom Naylor has extended his loan spell with Cambridge United to 93 days.

LATE CHEMISTS</p><p>Tuesday &ndash; prescriptions only (until 6.30pm unless stated):</p><p>Derby: Friar Gate (10.30pm); Abbey, Stockbrook Street; Asda, Spondon (10pm); Astons, Osmaston Road (7pm); Boots, Victoria St (8pm) and Kingsway (8pm); Buxton's, St Thomas Road (7pm); Day/Night Pharmacy, Wilson Street, and Osmaston Road, Allenton (midnight); Dean and Smedley, Heatherton (6pm); Dixon, Vernon Street (7pm); Duffield Pharmacy, Town Street; EJ's, Crayford Road and Keldholme Lane, Alvaston; Good Life, Hatton (6pm); Jhoots, Witham Drive, Hilton (11pm); Lander and Hunter, Normanton Road; Lock, Chellaston Road, Shelton Lock (6pm); Manor, Burton Road; London Road, Alvaston, and Osmaston Road (6pm); Morrisons, Meteor Centre (8pm); Sainsbury's, Kingsway (9pm) and Wyvern (10pm); Tesco, Mickleover (8pm); Wilsons, Wiltshire Road, Chaddesden, and Victoria Avenue, Borrowash (6pm); North Street, Derby, and Oakwood District Centre; Sinfin Centre (7pm); Rosehill, Normanton Road (11pm).</p><p>Ashbourne: Lloyds (6pm).</p><p>Ashby: Owen Jones (6pm).</p><p>Barton: Peak (6pm).</p><p>Belper: Morrisons (9am-8pm).</p><p>Burton: Co-op, Morrisons (8pm); Asda (9pm).</p><p>Castle Gresley: Wilson (6pm).</p><p>Draycott: Wilson.</p><p>Long Eaton: Dales (7pm).</p><p>Newhall: Newhall Pharmacy (6pm).</p><p>Riddings: Powell and Hughes.</p><p>Ripley: Boots (midnight). Sainsbury's (7am-11pm).</p><p>Sandiacre: Burrows and Close.</p><p>Swadlincote: KM Brennan (5.30-6.30pm).</p><p>Swanwick: Tambers (6pm), KM Brennan.</p><p>Uttoxeter: Tesco (10.30pm).</p><p>Wirksworth: Hannage.</p><p>USEFUL NUMBERS</p><p>Derby City Council: 01332 293111</p><p>Streetpride: 0333 200 6981</p><p>Royal Derby Hospital: 01332 340131</p><p>Derbyshire County Council: 01629 533190</p><p>Tourist Information: 01332 643 411</p><p>Derby County FC: 0871 472 1884</p><p>Derbyshire County Cricket Club: 01332 388 101</p><p>Moorways Leisure Centre: 01332 642180</p><p>Springwood Leisure Centre: 01332 664433</p><p>Queen's Leisure Centre: 01332 641444</p><p>Derby Museums: 01332 641901</p><p>Derby LIVE: 01332 255800</p><p>Samaritans: 08457 90 90 90</p><p>Alcoholics Anonymous: 0115 941 7100</p><p>National Gambling helpline: 0808 8020 133</p><p>Derbyshire Police: 101.</p>

RETAILERS and shoppers have welcomed multi-million-pound plans to improve five key areas of Derby.

Thecity council wants to spend £7 million to make the "district centres" of Cavendish, Derwent, Normanton,Chaddesden and Mickleover better places to visit.

Improvements will be made to parking, street furniture and access over a five-year period.

That is on top of work costing £1.5 million due to be completed this year in Alvaston and £1.15 million of improvements already announced for Mackworth, which will start in November.

Council leader Ranjit Banwait has said the move shows he is "pro-business and pro-regeneration".

But the move has been called "absolutely cynical" by the opposition Conservative party because the investments will almost all be in Labour-controlled areas.

The exception is Mickleover, where there are two Conservative councillors and one Liberal Democrat.

Tory leader CouncillorPhilip Hickson said: "I think it's typical of the approach from the current Labour leadership where all the funding is going towards Labour-supported wards and areas.

"The other areas are being punished because they don't support the Labour party.

"It's absolutely cynical and it's an insult to hard-working families in other areas."

Mr Banwait said decisions on where to spend the cash were "based on need".

He said: "This is not to the detriment of other priorities. This is about regenerating our city."

He added that the money for the work would come from the council's capital fund, which is for one-off projects for new buildings or improving assets, as opposed to the revenue fund, which is for the day-to-day running of the council.

Mr Banwait said: "People know I'm a socialist and I'm proud of that but I want to quash concerns that I'm not pro-business and pro-regeneration.

"I'm very pleased to be working with [council chief executive] Adam Wilkinson who has built a reputation on regeneration.

"There was a real focus on the city centre and that's going to continue but I want to rebalance that because a lot of our district centres are looking very tired – some more than others."

Mr Banwait said the work would represent delivery of a Labour pledge to revamp district centres made in 2004, when Chris Williamson, now MP for Derby North, was in charge.

He said that process had stalled because other parties had "different priorities" when they led the council.

Mr Banwait said officers were now drawing up plans for what the latest district centre schemes will entail, prior to a full public consultation.

But he has already gone out with council officers to speak with shoppers and shopkeepers about what they want improved.

He said: "One example was in Chaddesden where I spoke with two shoppers who had sat down on a wall as there were no benches nearby.

"Why not create a nice area to sit, where there's also a piece of art?"

Mr Banwait said there had already been boosts to district centres, such as the arrival of Lidl in Chaddesden, and that now was the time to capitalise.

An initial £1.2 million will be spent across the five centres on clean-ups, street furniture, planting, lighting and signage improvements.

One centre from the five will also be selected for larger-scale work from this cash.

The council will then need to find another £6 million for the rest of the work from its capital budget.

Mr Banwait said some of the cash would have to come through delaying projects in the city centre, though he could not yet say what these were.

In Chaddesden district centre, off Nottingham Road, both shoppers and shopkeepers welcomed the new scheme and were keen to see the money spent in the area as soon as possible.

Maureen Millward, charity worker at the Salvation Army shop, said a key move would be to improve parking – especially for delivery lorries.

She said: "They can block several spaces at once, stopping customers from parking and sometimes blocking cars in.

"We also have a problem with potholes running from the district centre to the city centre.

"We are quite lucky here in that we have a lot of trees that brighten the place up but there is work that needs doing."

Neelam Khosla, owner of Booze off-licence, said it was often a struggle just for shop employees to park.

She said that was particularly a problem when Derby County play at home and people park in Chaddesden before heading off to the game.

Mrs Khosla added: "The pavements need to be more regularly cleaned, especially at this time of year.

"The trees are dropping leaves and conkers on the ground and making it slippery and dangerous."

Sue Moseley, 66, of Chaddesden Park Road, said she visited the district centre about once every couple of weeks.

She said: "I don't think there's enough parking spaces for the number of shops here any more."

A council spokeswoman said the exact areas that would benefit from work in the five district centres were "yet to be defined".

The plan is expected to be confirmed by the council's cabinet next Wednesday.

OTHER REFURBISHMENT PLANS ELSEWHERE IN DERBY

THE final phase of work on Alvaston District Centre is set to be completed in the autumn of 2015.

That will see improvements made in London Road, such as new street furniture, paving, lighting, and bike racks, starting in the spring.

Surface water drainage repairs that were needed in the centre are close to completion.

The "above-ground works" in the Shardlow Road part of the centre, including new paving are, the council said "ongoing".

A total of £1.15 million is set to be spent on Mackworth District Centre, with work set to finish in the 2016-17 financial year and starting next month.

This will include new paving and street furniture in front of the Co-op and the library.

The area's clock will be stripped down and repainted and seating replaced.

That first part of the development is expected to cost £80,000 and will be funded through the council's Estates Pride Programme.

Phase two, which is estimated to cost £200,000, will see improvements to the district centre's car park.

And the final phase will concentrate on the area in front of the remaining shopping parade.

A council spokeswoman said: "Further community and business consultation will take place throughout the life of the project."

The district centre work forms part of the city council's "vibrant city strategy", which will see a 15-year plan put together for the future regeneration of Derby.

This will involve consultation with businesses and residents to answer key questions like what the future will be for "distressed areas" like the derelict Duckworth Square and stricken Assembly Rooms.

Council leader Ranjit Banwait said: "We are not going to make a decision on the city centre based on Labour priorities or my priorities. We are going to decide with the help of businesses and external partners."

TWO of League Two's strugglers have parted company with their managers.

Rob Edwards has been sacked by bottom club Tranmere Rovers after five months in charge, while Nigel Worthington has resigned as York City boss with them three places off the bottom.

Tranmere were relegated from League One last season and have won only two games this season. At the weekend, Edwards admitted he was worried for his job, saying: "If you've got players in your side who don't want to fight and don't really want the ball, you're going to struggle - and that's what we've got at the moment."

York had been on a 23-match unbeaten run, straddling this season and last, until Burton Albion beat them 2-0 in September. The run had taken them to the play-off semi-finals last season but they had drawn as many as they had won in that time and have won only one game this season.

Since losing to Burton, they had lost three more matches.

Worthington feels he has taken them as far as he can and said: "It has been an absolute pleasure and honour to have been manager of York City and I very much wish the club every success for the future."

JOHN Mousinho says he would happily step back in at centre-back if Burton Albion manager Gary Rowett asked him to.

The central midfielder partnered captain Ian Sharps at the back in the 2-1 win over Northampton Town in the absence of Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, who missed out through illness.

Cansdell-Sherriff is expected to return for tomorrow's game against Morecambe, which would likely see Mousinho move back into midfield, where he has scored twice this season.

But Mousinho impressed at centre-back and would be happy to step back in should either Sharps or Cansdell-Sherriff be out again.

"I did enjoy it at centre-half," said Mousinho.

"Shane found himself ill the night before and I've played there before at the end of last season even though it's not my original position.

"The manager obviously knows that and asked if I could do a job there.

"As with all of my career, I've always been really pleased to just get on the pitch and play so it was really enjoyable to get the win and see the game from a different angle.

"If the gaffer goes that way then I'd play there again. People probably get sick of hearing players say they'll play wherever they can but players are like that, they just want to be out on the pitch.

"Everyone's got a preferred position but if the manager wants me to play at centre-half, in central midfield, right-back or even up front then anywhere will do me.

"If he needs me to do a job then, hopefully, I can do it for him.

"We'd conceded quite a few goals before Northampton and it came to a point where every time we lost a game we were conceding three goals.

"So we focused on that in the week, in getting our shape back.

"We were nice and solid at the back and were building from the back against a good side like Northampton, who are really going for it this year.

"That was a big part of our game plan, to be solid at the back and for the six in front of us to be as well.

"They set it off nicely and really stopped Northampton at source."

GARY Rowett reckons Burton Albion's recent poor spell was among his toughest in charge of the Brewers.

Albion lost five games in six, exiting the Capital One Cup and Johnstone's Paint Trophy along the way.

A run of defeats took some of the shine off an exceptional start to the season – and for Rowett it was painful.

"The last three weeks, I could argue, have been my most difficult weeks in some ways," said the manager, who has rarely seen his side lose more than two on the spin.

"That's great because that's what it's all about – we aren't always going to have it easy, sitting near the top of the league and getting all the plaudits.

"We've got to work for a living – actually that's the wrong word, football you could argue is a hobby!

"But, seriously, we know we've got to work hard."

Albion got back to winning ways with a gutsy 2-1 win at Northampton Town on Saturday.

It was just the kind of "back to basics" approach demanded by Rowett land he will want to see more of it at home to Morecambe tomorrow (3pm)..

"You could see our reaction when the winning goal went in and our reaction at the end of the game," said the Brewers boss.

"There was huge relief because, again, we put pressure on ourselves.

"I said to the players after pre-season we've set the standard and that's our marker.

"For the first eight or nine games we lived up to that marker and were delighted with what we'd done.

"Then we came away from that for four or five games and there's no-one more disappointed than the players.

"We've had a chat with one or two of the older players this week and they've all said the same thing.

"We've made individual errors and haven't defended as well.

"But we're still trying to turn it around, even though it's only this stage of the season.

"I felt it was a big game for us and it's got us back to winning ways.

"And rather than being in a bad run of form, we've won two out of our last three in the league. That's how fickle football is going, with all the managerial changes.

"That's why I said we wouldn't get carried away with our good start.

"Alternatively, if we had a bad run, we can't get carried away with that.

"Sometimes people make more of an issue of it than we do within the four walls because they think it's an opportunity missed."