Nigel Clough admitted that his side faced a real stern test against the Swans this evening

The Derby County manager welcomes Swansea City to Pride Park with the visitors looking for the victory that could see them end the evening in the play off zone.

And Clough knows that his side is up for a tough week - Bristol City are the visitors to the same ground on Saturday also chasing that elusive Premiership place.

Speaking to the Derby Evening Telegraph, Clough said "We've played teams in the last few weeks who have been in and around us – Blackpool, Nottingham Forest and Plymouth – but these two teams have got aspirations of challenging for the Premier League

"Football-wise, they are two of the best footballing sides in the division and it will be interesting to see how we fare against them.

"Swansea played good football in League One and have just continued the same. I don't know whether that has surprised people or not but I don't see any reason why a good footballing side in League One who gets promoted should change their style.

"They have showed you can still play football and be high in the table. You have to scrap but, predominantly, I think you have to play football.

"The sides who have been promoted in the last few years have proved that. West Brom got promoted last year playing good football.

"It is lovely to see the footballing sides doing well."

Clough also acknowledged the obvious threat of Jason Scotland by adding "He is an obvious threat, yes, but all over the pitch they are just a very good side

"I think they are playing with some width, one of the few sides in the division which do so, but the form he (Scotland) is in at the moment, you have certainly got to watch him."

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