Sterjovski made his second start for the Rams in their 6-1 Wednesday mauling by Chelsea and he admits things could get even worse against Sir Alex Ferguson's Premier League title chasers.

Sterjovski told the Derby Evening Telegraph: "We need to work a lot harder and work from it and try to do better in the next game on Saturday which is another big one.

"It won't be easy but we need to step it up because United will be even harder to play against. There's always room for improvement. Chelsea were very good but we didn't do enough." The last thing beleaguered boss Paul Jewell wanted was another defensive headache ahead of the United clash but he has got it with veteran centre-back Alan Stubbs a major doubt.

Stubbs limped off with a calf injury after just 16 minutes at Stamford Bridge and will face a late fitness test. Jewell said: "It would be easy to say the injury to Stubbs made a lot of difference because he has been a rock for us."

Jewell has long been resigned to the Rams' fate this season and will take whatever United throw at his side while his mind strays towards planning a Pride Park revolution for the start of next term.

"It is getting more difficult but at least there is one less game to play. We just try to put as brave a face as we can on it. I sat there for 90 minutes squirming in my seat because Chelsea are a great team and we are not.

"The only thing is the personnel will be totally different next season and hopefully we will have a different mentality and I can't wait for the pre-season to start."