SAUL Deeney wants to repay the faith shown in him by Derby County manager Nigel Clough.

The Rams' number two goalkeeper steps in for the injured Stephen Bywater today as they take on Bristol City at Ashton Gate in their penultimate fixture of the Championship campaign.

It will be Deeney's first start and the 27-year-old hopes to stay on the pitch longer than he did on his debut at Reading last month when he played for only 28 minutes after he came off the bench to replace Bywater, who was forced off with a back problem.

Deeney was shown a red card after he conceded a penalty, leaving Derby to play for more than half the game with 10 men and midfielder Robbie Savage in goal. They lost 4-1.

"I did watch the game after I got sent off and Sav did great. Fair play to him. It takes a bit of character to go in goal and as captain he did the right thing and went in, though he didn't shut up about it!" said Deeney, who played for Clough at Burton Albion and was signed by Derby last summer.

"I thought the red card was a bit harsh but it's one of those things. You take it on your chin and get back training," added Deeney.

"I am back with a chance to do well and I am looking forward to the game.

"There wasn't much he (Clough) could say. The most important thing was the team lost.

"These things can happen to anybody. I am big enough to take it. Deep down I'm a tough person.

"It's made me a better person. I've had setbacks where people would've given up but I've carried on."

Deeney has been understudy to Bywater this season and has agreed a new one-year deal with the club.

"It is a good chance to repay the gaffer for the faith he's got in me," said Deeney.

"It's also a good time for me to do well and keep Sav out of the goal!

"Being number two is not frustrating. I've come to the club knowing my situation. Stephen's the number one keeper and I've got time to learn from him and (goalkeeping coach) Martin Taylor.

"I don't want to see anyone injured to give me a chance and one day it'll come to the situation where someone is behind me."

Deeney admits he was a little in awe of the place when he first signed for the Rams after playing for Burton in the Blue Square Premier.

"When I came it was a big jump – anyone is going to be nervous," said Deeney.

"It took months to settle in. I am now learning more and more. I was in awe of Stephen (Bywater).

"Now I'm learning and watching all the goalkeepers. It's going in the right direction for me now.

"I am delighted with the new contract.

"Again, it's not just the fact of having a contract. I would still be going out to play well for my team-mates."

Taylor has worked with Deeney at Burton and now Derby, and says the keeper has improved due to training on a daily basis.

"Saul works hard anyway but he is a lot fitter and mentally he is a lot stronger. Since Christmas, he has played really well and that is probably from the base of training everyday," said Taylor.

"He seems to get better and better, and we have no worries about putting him in.

"He was obviously disappointed because everyone is disappointed when they get sent off, but he is a strong-willed lad.

"It was just one of those things, nine times out of 10 you might get away with it.

"Will I say anything to him before he runs out at Ashton Gate? Nothing more than I would say to him before a reserve game.

"It is a game of football, the only difference is there is a lot more people there and you are under a bit more pressure but you still have to keep the ball out of your net, that's your job."

Taylor, like Deeney, joined Derby from non-League football back in 1986.

He signed from Mile Oak Rovers and had a spell as understudy to Peter Shilton who at the time was rated as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

"Saul has come from non-League and it is a big step up for him but he has worked hard, has waited all season and been patient which as a number two you have to be because there is only one position," said Taylor who made 120 appearances for Derby and was named player of the year in 1993-4.

Taylor added: "Saul proved to us in the time he was on the pitch at Reading he can be a number two.

"It is up to him now in these two games to show that if Stephen was out for a long period, he could step in and we wouldn't need to bring somebody in on loan.

"Saul is not young, he is 27, so I think he will come in and do really well.

"He has played League football before, he had two spells at Notts County."

Ross Atkins will be on the bench against Bristol City. The 20-year-old keeper has also agreed a new one-year deal.