Rio Ferdinand is savouring the chance to prove himself against Europe's top stars in the Champions League and hopes elite continental competition will again bring out the best in his Leeds teammates.

Not for the first time this season, Leeds faltered in front of their own frustrated fans as Derby executed a defensive-minded gameplan to perfection on Saturday.

In Leeds' pursuit of a place in Europe again for next season, it was another two points dropped at home where they have already been beaten five times in the Premiership this season.

Remarkably Leeds still move up to fifth. But this was another result that proved Elland Road is no longer a place to be feared, which is why Tuesday's visit of Anderlecht is pivotal to the club's ambitious dream of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals.

While manager David O'Leary accepts his side are playing nowhere near their best on the domestic front as they continually struggle to break down visiting opposition, European football has proved to be a different matter.

O'Leary's European home record with Leeds is outstanding, with the loss to reigning champions Real Madrid in November ending a run of 11 matches without defeat.

It remains to be seen whether the two-month mid-winter break has blunted Leeds' continental cutting edge, with Ferdinand hoping the sharpness he witnessed in their historic victory over Lazio in Rome in December can be revived.

For Ferdinand, the game with Belgian champions Anderlecht represents his debut on European club football's greatest stage after experience of the Intertoto and UEFA cups with West Ham last season.

Ferdinand said: ''I want to play against the best. It will enable me to judge just how far I've come because I've not played in Europe on a proper stage like the Champions League before.

''As it will be my first time involved in such a game I will definitely be taking in the atmosphere. I just hope I will be able to adapt.

''There is a belief we can get that second place in the group because the European games seem to bring out the best in us, and I hope they will do so again.

Central to Leeds' hopes of further European glory will be a fit Harry Kewell, who played the final 27 minutes against the Rams after another seven-week injury lay-off.

Kewell was the only bright spot of an otherwise drab performance.

And the Australia international can expect another 30-minute run-out against coach Aime Anthuenis' side as O'Leary nurses him back to full fitness.

''In games like this one you saw what Harry could do in 30 minutes,'' enthused O'Leary.

''You need that individual brilliance someone who can go off, do their own thing and score a goal."

For Derby, it was another desperately-needed point in their fight against the drop, banishing the nightmare of Wednesday's FA Cup defeat to Blackburn in which they conceded five goals in 29 minutes.

Boss Jim Smith was obviously the happier of the two managers as he said: ''It was a really strong performance in terms of character which is what we needed, especially after conceding the five against Blackburn.''