Kevin Blackwell insists Derby are under just as much pressure as Luton when the sides meet at Pride Park - even though the Hatters know defeat would see them relegated from the Coca-Cola Championship.

Blackwell admits all is not well at Kenilworth Road and has a big job ahead of him in the summer, but believes the prospect of missing out on automatic promotion could also tell on their opponents.

Despite topping the table for large parts of the season, the Rams go into the game in third place, needing all three points to go clear of second-placed Birmingham.

Blackwell told Luton's official website, www.lutontownfc.co.uk: "I think it's clear that I've inherited a big problem at this football club and, as much as I'd like to wave the magic wand and be a magician, it won't cure itself overnight.

"The players have a chance to show not just me but the rest of the country they're better than they have shown.

"I was in the same position [as Derby] last year with Leeds and it's a tough time for everybody. They're under pressure trying to get promotion and we're under pressure in the other respect.

"It's about who deals with pressure best."

The Hatters narrowly avoided the drop at the weekend despite losing 2-1 to Plymouth and now the way is clear for one-time Luton hero Steve Howard - the Rams' top scorer following last summer's move - to send his former club down.

But Blackwell hopes Howard's close ties to the Luton squad will help that scenario be averted.

He said: "The lads must be aware of him [Howard], they've trained with him for the last few years so let's hope they've taken some of those things on board."

Rams manager Billy Davies, meanwhile, has called for nothing short of victory as he seeks to seal a top-two finish and reach the Barclays Premiership.

"That's what we've got to try and do now, pick up three wins over three games," he said.

"Obviously, we are now in with a good possibility of automatic promotion and, with the teams we're fighting against having just come down from the Premiership, we're thrilled to be in this position.

"We'll give it our best shot between now and the end of the season."