BLACKBURN Rovers manager Gary Bowyer hopes having an extra 24 hours rest will help his side against Derby County at Ewood Park tonight (7.45pm).
After beating Wigan Athletic 3-1 on Saturday, Bowyer watched the Rams draw 1-1 at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Now Bowyer hopes the extra rest Rovers have enjoyed will give them an advantage.
"It definitely does make a difference," said Bowyer, a former Rams academy coach.
"I watched the Forest game on Sunday and it was a typical East Midlands derby. It was fierce and high energy, emotionally as well.
"They are tough games and to have 24 hours extra rest could be vital to us.
"But having those 24 hours rest will only be to our advantage if we go out there and perform.
"That's the main thing, we've got to go out there and perform and build on Saturday's performance.
"Derby very narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premiership so that shows the level of the challenge that lies ahead.
"But it's a challenge we're looking forward to and it's good measure for our lot, as was Saturday."
