Rooney still "quality" in Derby training as he keeps Rams stars on their toes

Derby keeper Ryan Allsop reckons Wayne Rooney's strength of character and still-sharp shooting boots are ensuring he and his team-mates are in tip-top condition to fight to the end.

The EFL have given the Rams' administrators an extra month to prove they have the funds to see out the season.

Meaning Sunday's clash with Birmingham won't be the club's last game, as one or two supporters had started to fear.

Allsop and Co are doing everything they can to keep the off-the-field drama out of their heads.

And Rooney is playing a major part in helping them do that.

Allsop said: "He has made me get back in goal occasionally, a few penalties and free-kicks here and there.

"It's always good to see the quality he still has — he gives his knowledge to the forwards and we obviously do our best to combat that.

"Of course, he's a strong character as well and he has transmitted that to the team. It has shown in what we're trying to do and the style of play.

"We want to get on the ball and play out from the back and make the right decisions when they are there to be made.

"You need to be mentally strong to play this way and, 100 per cent, that comes from the gaffer and the staff, and their trust and belief in us to go and do that.

"So in terms of their mental strength and fight, there's stuff going on that we have to deal with and we try to put it to the backs of our minds as much as possible because it is out of our control.

"But you still need to be mentally strong to be able to do that and go out of a weekend, and the lads are doing themselves proud at the moment.

"All we can do is keep fighting and try to get as many wins as possible."

The fact Derby still have a glimmer of hope of serving relegation after being hit with a 21-point deduction this season is a testament to the hard work they are all putting in.

And even a defeat by bitter rivals last weekend wasn't as hard to take for fans as it would normally have been given the issues at hand.

Allsop added: "There were things we could have done better as a team and we acknowledge that.

"But what can't be overlooked is our desire and fight to work hard for each other and put everything into what we're trying to do.

"It will teach us good lessons and hopefully we can take that into the game on Sunday."

Today, the Rams take on the team Birmingham-born Allsop grew up supporting.

He said: "It is always a fixture I look forward to because my dad still supports Birmingham, although he supports me more.

"Hopefully there'll be a few family there, my mum and dad will be there.

"I'm going to ask my little boy if he wants to come, but he's only six so he'll probably say 'No'."