ROXY Fearon has warned his players not to get dragged into a "bunfight" with Midlands One East strugglers Belgrave this weekend.
Second-from-bottom Belgrave visit Haslams Lane tomorrow on the back of five straight defeats.
The Leicestershire side have won only two of their 16 league games this season.
When the sides met in October, eighth-placed Derby edged to a narrow 23-19 victory.
"Belgrave are a horrible team to play against," said head coach Fearon.
"They just want to maul all day long.
"We need the pitch to be in decent condition.
"We don't want a quagmire, as that would suit them.
"We've got to play our own game and try to move the ball out of the contact area, which is where they seem to struggle.
"We had problems at their place earlier in the season, because we got dragged into a bit of a bunfight and it became a battle.
"We need to take them on up front – but do it with purpose.
"I'm confident we can do that."
Derby went down 30-19 at promotion-chasing Bedford Athletic last weekend.
Having finished runners-up last season, they have been unable to get the better of the top sides this time around.
"The boys know they need to take the opportunities they create for themselves," said Fearon.
"We've been in good positions against all the top teams but haven't taken the scalp.
"We're not getting beaten out of sight – we're just lacking the maturity to get over the line.
"Some of the players need to work a bit harder to take us to the next level.
"Yes, we've lost players but that happens to all sides.
"We need to raise our game."
Derby welcome back prop Jamie Twigg, who has been out since November with a shoulder injury.
James Reid also comes into contention in the forwards, while Ben Coombes' back problem continues to be monitored.
"He played half a game last week and we need to look after him," said Fearon.
Meanwhile, Derby are waiting on the availability of Tom Taylor-Dawes, who is training with Premiership champions Northampton Saints.
Elsewhere in the division, fifth-placed Ilkeston take on bottom club Spalding at The Stute.
Spalding have lost all 16 of their league fixtures this season.
Ilkeston, who won 20-10 at Paviors last weekend, were unbeaten at home this season until a fortnight ago, when they lost to Old Northamptonians.
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