[goldenHuddlestone]

Derby boss Billy Davies has hailed the contribution of one of the Premier League's busiest players as he seeks to steer the Rams off the foot of the table with victory at Reading on Sunday.

Goalkeeper Stephen Bywater has seen 21 goals fly past him in just eight top-flight games so far but his sensational double save to preserve a point against Bolton last week proved he has lost none of his confidence.

And Davies believes Bywater's exuberant attitude is exactly what his side needs if they are to drag themselves out of danger after their tumultuous start against so many top-half teams.

Davies said: "Stephen has never been lacking in confidence. He's a bubbly and enthusiastic character. He sometimes speaks before he thinks but he is a great guy and a great 'keeper.

"He has never been under any threat. We have great faith in Stephen as we have in all of the individuals we've got here. We'll continue to give them the support to get them through the current season with great success."

Davies insists he has never lost faith in the Rams' ability to claw their way out of danger, maintaining that such a tough early fixture list simply made it imperative they were not cast adrift at the bottom.

Four points from their last three matches suggests the Rams are beginning to get to grips with life in the top flight and with star youngster Giles Barnes poised to return to the starting line-up things are looking up.

Davies added: "We've got to be patient and not unrealistic. We've got a very big challenge ahead but with the spirit and the people I've got around me I'm confident we'll get better and better.

"For us the objective was to go for a three-year plan in the Championship and eventually try to get into the Premier League, but we managed to do that over a 10-month period.

"That's precisely why I say patience is very important for us. This is a long and difficult season because of where we have come from."

Barnes will be joined by Darren Moore and Robert Earnshaw in pushing for a starting place against Steve Coppell's men, who are seeking to bounce back from last week's amazing 7-4 defeat at Portsmouth.