How the task is shaping up for rivals in relegation scrap

IT is poised to be a crucial few weeks in the fight for Championship survival as Wayne Rooney looks to guide Derby County to safety.

The Rams gave their hopes of pulling off an unlikely escape from relegation a further boost when Louie Sibley’s late winner beat Peterborough United at Pride Park on Saturday, moving them above their opponents on goal difference.

They now sit 22nd in the Championship table, five points adrift of Reading in 21st.

The Royals recorded a 3-2 win away to Preston North End at the weekend in Veljko Paunovic’s last match in charge.

Here is a look at the next League fixtures for the bottom four teams in the division before the March international break.

BARNSLEY (current position 24th) Hull City (A) Tue 22 Feb (7.45pm) Middlesbrough (H) Sat 26 Feb (3pm) Derby (A) Sat 5 March (3pm) Stoke City (H) Tue 8 March (7.45pm) Fulham (H) Sat 12 March (12.30pm) Bristol City (H) Tue 15 March (7.45pm) Sheffield Utd (A) Sat 19 March (12.30pm) PETERBOROUGH UNITED (current position 23rd)

Fulham (A) Wed 23 Feb (7.45pm) Hull City (H) Sat 26 Feb (3pm) Huddersfield T (A) Fri 4 March (7.45pm) Bournemouth (A) Tue 8 March (7.45pm)

Stoke City (H) Sat 12 March (3pm) Swansea City (H) Wed 16 March (7.45pm)

Queens Park Rangers (A) Sun 20

March (12.30pm)

DERBY COUNTY (current position 22nd)

Millwall (H) Wed 23 Feb (7.45pm) Luton Town (A) Sat 26 Feb (3pm) Cardiff City (A) Tues 1 March (7.45pm) Barnsley (H) Sat 5 March (3pm) Bournemouth (A) Sat 12 March (3pm) Blackburn Rovers (A) Tue 15 March (7.45pm)

Coventry City (H) Sat 19 March (12.30pm)

READING (current position 21st) Birmingham City (H) Tue 22 Feb (8pm) Blackpool (A) Sat 26 Feb (3pm) Millwall (H) Sat 5 March (3pm) Nottingham Forest (A) Sat 12 March (3pm)

Bournemouth (A) Tue 15 March (7.45pm)

Blackburn Rovers (H) Sat 19 March (3pm)