Leeds United legend Eddie Gray believes Derby County are one of the sides all Championship teams should fear if they are in the promotion playoffs at the end of the season.
The Rams are currently seventh in the league table on 40 points and are just five points off Leeds, who are placed fifth in the league table.
The two sides will clash on Friday night at Elland Road in a big game in the Championship and Gray believes it is a good opportunity for Leeds to increase the gap between themselves and the teams outside the top six.
Steve McClaren’s men are coming into the game fresh from beating Premier League outfit West Brom in the FA Cup at the weekend and the Leeds legend warned the Whites about Derby's potential.
The former Leeds star feels the Rams are one of the sides teams will not want to face in the playoffs at the end of the season.
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The Leeds legend told LUTV: “It’s a big game and I have been saying about the importance of trying to widen the gap between the seventh team and the top six if you are in the top six.
“And it’s an opportunity to do it.
"It will be a terrific game and what we have got to remember is that Derby County are a good side, but I think we are more than capable.
“It’s a game I am looking forward to and if they get into the playoffs, Derby County, they are one of the teams you would fear as they have got the players.”
Derby did beat Leeds earlier in the season when the two teams squared off at the iPro Stadium in October.
