He reveals:
"The fans there really love me there: I had an interview with Rams Vision, their own TV station, and I have just been voted their most influential player in Derby County history, and that is another great thing for me.
"It shows once again how much I have done for Derby County; it is a great honour, and I am really proud.
"It is another great thing to boost my ambition to keep playing; I'm still looking forward to having a few good seasons with West Ham United before I hang up my boots."
Not, though, that he will be out to do his old team any favours, and he is only too aware that he could keep them pegged in the relegation battle by beating them:
"I know, but that is our profession," he says, "I play for West Ham United, and I have to look after the best interests of my club.
"Derby County have certain problems and they have to try to find the solution somewhere else."
"I do look forward to saturday; it will be a pleasure to meet the lads again, and have a nice chat with them before the game."
A win for either side would all but banish thoughts of the drop, though his take on the battle at the bottom is as follows:
"Bradford, for sure, are down there, although there is always a mathematical reason to believe that they can stay up, but I don't think there is any chance for them.
"Manchester City is the second one I see going down this year because they are having a terrible time and can't get the points.
"Then it's going to be a big big fight between Coventry City and Middlesbrough to join them.
"I think these clubs have difficult fixtures and it is going to be difficult to expect them to win two or three games from the six they have got left to play.
"I do think we are OK because we have enough quality in our side so we don't have to fear anyone."
A draw at Aston Villa eased safety a little closer, and he says:
"I was pleased with my performance and the team performance as well, so let's hope we keep going this way.
"I think I am coming back to my level and that is why I am so happy.
"It is always important; you always want to be as fit as possible, to play well, and to make supporters proud of you.
"It's always nice to be 100% fit and do as well as you can."
Injury and ineligibility problems at the back certainly put the pressure on Igor to be fit this easter weekend, and he smiles:
"I have to look forward to that, because there is no-one else left in defence!
"We've had problems for most of the season with injuries, and losing Stuart was another blow because he has been playing well, never mind the last few games, so we'll miss him a lot.
"I just hope we are going to have a good game and win.
"We have to get as many points as posible to satisfy the supporters and finish the season on good terms.
"It would be nice to finish the season in winning way."
* Despite reports that Derby are down to just one [teenage] keeper, Mart Poom has in fact been passed fit.