SHAUN Barker knows better than most that Derby County still have work to do to secure their place in the Championship for next season.

Barker has spent much of his career battling to stay in the second tier of English football during his time with Rotherham United and Blackpool.

He is disappointed to see Derby in a similar situation now, following his move to Pride Park in the summer, but is confident Nigel Clough's side will be safe come the end of the campaign.

However, Barker is well aware that nothing is a formality in this competitive division.

The Rams' 2-0 win over Watford on Saturday took them to 42 points but they are not yet clear of danger.

"When you get your three points at home, you look to see how much the gap has opened up but it hasn't happened yet," said Barker.

"That sums up this league.

"The standard of teams is very similar right across the division and you can't predict who is going to beat who on any given day. Every game is a battle.

"I have played the majority of my career in this division and trying to stay in this division, and you usually say 50 points should be enough.

"But there have been a couple of years where 52 or 53 points have been needed.

"So I think we will look to get to 50 points as soon as possible and then push on and get another couple of good results.

"I think it will take a good few wins yet."

Derby travel to the Madejski Stadium tonight to take on a revitalised Reading side.

The Royals are in a relegation fight but have won five of their last six League games, as well as reaching the last eight of the FA Cup.

Brian McDermott's side led Premier League Aston Villa 2-0 at half-time in their quarter-final tie on Sunday before eventually going down 4-2.

"Reading will be another tough one," said Barker.

"They had a bad run earlier in the season but it only takes a few games to turn it around.

"But it's another chance for us to go three points further clear of a team that is below us.

"Hopefully, we can do that because we have got some massive games coming up in the next month, the majority being against clubs in and around us in the table.

"We've shown we have got the quality to play good football but, at the same time, the desire and aggression to keep a clean sheet and make life hard for the opposition as well.

"When you find yourselves in the bottom half of the league, as we are, you have to graft, work hard and play ugly at times to get results.

"It is about results and keeping this side in the Championship, and then progressing up the table each year."