Wayne Rooney sums up Birmingham City ahead of Derby County clash

Wayne Rooney has had his say on Birmingham City ahead of his Derby County side's clash with them on Sunday (1.30pm).

Blues head to Pride Park on the back of rescuing a point from their Championship game against Peterborough United last time out, coming from 2-0 down to draw, thanks to goals in the last five minutes from Gary Gardner and Scott Hogan.

Rooney's side are mired in relegation trouble because of two points deductions knocking 21 off their total.

With those points back Derby would be in 15th place and three points ahead of Blues, who have seen a run for the play-offs peter out thanks to a run of only one win from their last eight games.

Blues are 12 points clear of the relegation places so there are no immediate worries of another battle to avoid the drop but Lee Bowyer 's side could do without giving the teams below them any encouragement.

Rooney, who has seen the Rams win three of their past five matches, sees Sunday's televised game as a chance to record another crucial victory.

"It's a chance for us to get three points," he said.

"Birmingham are not on a great run of form and they might be low on confidence.

"Getting a draw against Peterborough in the last game and two late goals will certainly lift that confidence a little bit and they have players who can win the game for them.

"We know we have to be at our best to win and take nothing for granted.

"It is going to be a tough game so we are not taking it lightly and it is an important game before a good run of fixtures where we can pick up quite a few points which should leave us in a good position.

"Those fixtures start on Sunday and we will be trying to get three points."