GARY Bowyer is relishing a return to where his coaching career started after Blackburn Rovers were drawn at Derby County in the FA Cup fourth round.

Rovers's comprehensive 2-0 third round win at home to Bristol City was rewarded with a trip to their Championship rivals, having drawn there earlier in the season.

Caretaker boss Bowyer is expected to still be in temporary charge, after the club announced he will be in the hot seat until the end of the month, and believes both sides will fancy their chances of progressing to the fifth round.

He said: “It is a good one for me because Derby is where I started out in coaching. I was coaching the under u12s under John Peacock.

“Their manager is Nigel Clough as well, so there is the Nottingham Forest link as well, and it should be a good game.

“Both teams will go into the match thinking there is a good chance of progressing to the fifth round.”

Bowyer was also full of praise for the Rovers fans who turned out for Saturday's third round triumph at Ewood Park.

The 5,504 attendance was Rovers' lowest home gate since August 1991 but Bowyer was quick to thank those who were there.

He said: “It is a difficult time of the year with three games in the Christmas period. I can't thank the supporters who came here enough.

“They were really vocal and to stay at the end and clap the boys off ,the lads were appreciative of.

Hopefully we will have a big following again against Wolves on Friday night.”

The tie will be played on the weekend of January 26.