Commons' goal means Derby take a 1-0 lead into Tuesday's match

Derby County winger Kris Commons says the Rams can frustrate Manchester United on Tuesday and land a place in the Carling Cup final.

Derby lead 1-0 after Commons scored in their home leg of the semi-final.

The 25-year-old told BBC Radio Derby: "I hope we get an early goal as that would give us the optimism we need - we've got a really good chance now.

"If we can stay 0-0 up until half-time then I think we'll be thinking about the hotel room in London."

Commons, who signed for Derby in the summer, is hoping to get onto the score sheet at Old Trafford.

"If I get in the right areas and get another chance to have a pop, I hope it'll come off the left foot a little bit sweeter than the other one.

"Hopefully they'll play the same side and we can give them another good game and reach a major final," he said.

And manager Nigel Clough has said his side will pick themselves up from Saturday's league defeat to take the game to Manchester United.

The Rams suffered a 2-0 defeat to QPR in Clough's first game in charge.

Clough told BBC Radio Derby: "We'll try and pick them up on Monday morning and get a team out to hopefully try and hang on to the lead."

Clough added: "We can't sit back because I think that would be fatal.

"We have a goal to protect but when we do get a chance to go forward then we're going to take it."

Derby are now two points off above the Championship drop-zone after Saturday's results.

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