George Burley is hoping for an Ipswich defeat this weekend.

A year ago, as the Blues went to Liverpool on the last day of a disastrous Premiership season, that would have been unthinkable.

But now, with Burley at the helm of Derby, albeit temporarily, the Scot could play a key role in another miserable afternoon for the Tractor Boys.

Town, whose play-off hopes were killed off last weekend, lost 1-0 at home to Derby earlier this season.

Horacio Carbonari's goal left the Blues 21st in the table - and Burley closer to the sack.

Little more than ten days later, after the awful 3-0 defeat at Grimsby, his tenure at Portman Road was over.

Since he was appointed caretaker boss of the Rams at the end of March, Burley has experienced an inconsistent time.

He has won three (against Norwich, Wimbledon and Coventry), but also lost three (against Millwall, Watford and Walsall).

If his side lose to Town, it will be the third loss on the bounce and could prove damaging to his hopes of taking over the hotseat permanently.

Burley, who has replaced the suspended John Gregory at Pride Park, is aching for a return to full-time management and also has been linked with the vacant Fulham job.

Derby County's goalkeeping worries appear to be easing ahead of the game.

Eighteen-year-old Lee Camp was the only fit keeper after last Saturday's defeat at Walsall.

But Lee Grant and Andy Oakes are both expected to be in contention for the clash with Ipswich.

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Published Friday, May 2, 2003

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