Rooney to make changes for cup
DERBY County are set to make big changes to the team for tonight’s Carabao Cup second round tie against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane (7.45pm).
Wayne Rooney is having to manage his small squad, with the game falling between Championship fixtures against Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest.
Rooney made eight changes for the Rams’ first round tie against League Two opponents Salford City, which Derby won 5-3 on penalties following a 3-3 draw after 90 minutes.
Seven of the 10 outfield players on the night were 21 and under and the average age of the team was 22. The starting 11 against Salford was: Allsop; Ebosele, Brown, Forsyth, Williams; Hutchinson, Watson; Jozwiak, Morrison, Sibley; Stretton.
Goalkeeper Ryan Allsop, defenders Richard Stearman, Lee Buchanan and Dylan Williams, midfielders Louie Watson and Isaac Hutchinson, and striker Jack Stretton were all on the bench for Saturday’s goalless draw with Middlesbrough at Pride Park Stadium.
“The issue I have is the lads on the bench need minutes, they need game time.
I need these players to be in a position when I need them to come on or to start games and make sure they have enough game-time in them,” Rooney explained when asked how the team to face Sheffield United will look.
“It is a tough one because there will be games when they have to play for the under-23s to get that game-time up but the cup game is a great opportunity for them,.
“I was delighted with the (cup) draw, I think it is a challenge for the young lads. It is not me disrespecting the cup, it is me purely doing it from a manager’s point of view, making sure the players are ready because we have to prioritise the League.”
Derby have collected five points from their four League matches ahead of Saturday’s home game against Forest.
Meanwhile, the Blades have picked up only one point from 12.
They have lost at home to Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town,
they were beaten 4-0 by West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns and drew 0-0 away against Swansea City.
Asked if he expected the Blades to go with a first-choice starting team tonight, Rooney said: “I hope they do, I hope they play their strongest team because that will be a better challenge for some of our young lads. The lads who play will give it everything. I think it was a good performance against Salford, particularly in the second half, so it is another opportunity for them.
“I am looking forward to the game, we will get them ready, we will prepare them right and try and get a victory. I feel the young lads can go out and put a performance in.”
United beat Carlisle United 1-0 at Bramall Lane to book their place in the second round.