CLOUGH LENDS HELPING HAND

NIGEL Clough has agreed to help Burton Albion’s preparations for the biggest game in their history.

Derby County have invited the Brewers to make full use of their lavish Moor Farm training complex ahead of Sunday’s Blue Square Premier crunch clash with Torquay United at Plainmoor.

And Clough — the man who built the team that heads the league table going into the last game — will be there to pass on his best wishes.

Albion boss Roy McFarland said: "We wanted to do something different to prepare the boys for the Torquay game and this is a magnificent gesture by Derby County."

The Brewers will train at Moor Farm and, after lunch, will move on to the County Ground to watch Derbyshire’s cricketers against Surrey.

McFarland is hoping the change of routine will boost morale after Friday’s home defeat against Oxford United left his side still needing a point to secure the title and automatic promotion to the Football League.

He said: "I think it will be beneficial for the players to have a change of environment and scenery.

"It makes it even better that Nigel will be there because of the obvious associations and connections he has with the squad.

"Some of the lads were with him for a long time at Burton, and it will be nice for them to be reminded of what they achieved together.

"The whole object of the exercise will be to get the players in the right frame of mind for Sunday.

"Derby have thrown their doors open to us and offered us full use of their training pitch and other superb facilities such as the jacuzzi.

"They are also laying on a bite of lunch and then we’ll have a couple of hours relaxing and watching the cricket."

Albion will be at the County Ground as guests of cricket club chairman Don Amott, who is a former Albion director.

Said McFarland: "We are extremely grateful to Derby County, Don and the cricket club for their support."