Jason Pearce hopes Leeds can finish with a flourish against play-off-bound Derby on Saturday.

The Whites are ending a turbulent campaign in strong fashion with three wins from their last four games.

And centre half Pearce is targeting another three points at Elland Road against a team with promotion on their mind.

He said: “Derby have done really well this season. They are a young, up-and-coming side and it will be a tough game.

“We went on that bad run but we have now won three from four and it will be nice to end the season on a high and give the home fans something to cheer about.

“We have to go into the game in a positive state of mind like we have done in the last few games.

“This season’s experience will hold us in good stead. We have got a lot of young players in our team and we are all learning.

“It’s been a hard season but it feels like it has gone really quickly when you say there is only one game left.

“We know that we should have done better this year. With everything now sorted behind the scenes, we can regroup in the summer and go again next season.”

Pearce, who missed only one game this season, has been through off-field troubles before at previous club Portsmouth.

“I think that you learn from every experience and that it makes you a stronger person,” he said.

“I have been through administrations and difficult situations at other clubs and it does make you stronger.”

Meanwhile, teenage midfielder Alex Mowatt does not need surgery after injuring his knee at Birmingham.