YOURI Djorkaeff has caught the derby fever as Wanderers stepped up their preparations for Saturday's Reebok relegation showdown with Blackburn.

The French World Cup winner, who made his Premiership debut in the scoreless draw at Southampton, acknowledged the significance of the fixture when he said: "I can't wait to play at Bolton and enjoy the atmosphere."

Although new to the scene, the former PSG, Inter Milan and Kaiserslautern star has been left under no illusions about the importance of a fixture that could be the defining moment in Wanderers' season.

The draw at Southampton - the first scoreless game at the new St Mary's Stadium - gave them a four-point advantage over Rovers who still lie third from bottom. And it is an advantage they are determined to build on as the relegation battle hots up.

"It's the biggest game," midfielder Kevin Nolan acknowledged. "There are still 11 games to go and it's not just about the next one but it is definitely a six-pointer and we're aiming to go seven points clear of them."

That would be a significant psychological blow with Wanderers currently locked in a relegation dogfight against their Lancashire neighbours.