³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Derby County midfielder Ebou Adams says that he is enjoying the challenge of playing football during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Adams, 28, scored the winner in his side's 1-0 win over Blackpool in League One on Friday, his first goal for the promotion-chasing Rams.

He played the whole game, despite fasting from sunrise to sunset.

"There are times when I think I'm done here, but someone gives me a little push and I get through it," he said.

"It's my religion, it gives me discipline. It's what makes me who I am and I'm happy with that."

Adams, who is on loan from Championship side Cardiff City, is in the middle of Ramadan, which began on 10 March and lasts until 9 April.

But rather than complain about the challenge of not being able to eat or drink for over 12 hours, the Gambia international says that it is a crucial part of who he is.

"It's a lot more than not just eating and drinking," he told ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Derby.

"It's looking after yourself, reflecting how you are as a person, how you treat other people and giving to charity.

"It's an amazing month. It shows who I am today. I hope I continue being that person and hopefully spreading that to be a good person.

"I'm enjoying Ramadan and playing football. It's not easy, it's difficult, but I'm getting through it."

On the pitch, Adams' goal helped second-placed Derby move six points clear of Bolton Wanderers, in third, who could only draw at Stevenage.

But Adams insists that they should be focusing on leaders Portsmouth, who are five points ahead of the Rams, with the top two in League One meeting at Fratton Park on Tuesday.

"I'm not looking at third place, I'm looking at first," he said.

"I'd rather chase than look behind us because if you do that, you end up slipping up. If we keep looking forward, we'll be looking to attack the game, especially on Tuesday."