No kidding... Roo rookies are red hot

WAYNE ROONEY and Derby’s entire first team will miss their FA Cup tie at non-league Chorley because of a Covid alert.

But it gives Rams boss Rooney (above, left) an opportunity to see the strength in depth at Under-23 level on a stage where many people will be expecting a Cup shock.

I was part of the Derby County side beaten at non-league Crawley 10 years ago, and being on the wrong end of a giant-killing is a feeling I would never recommend.

Darren Wassall has done a great job in charge of Derby’s youngsters and led them to the last 16 of the UEFA Under-19 Youth League last season, beating Borussia Dortmund along the way.

There is no point in nurturing young talent through the academy system if it is just going to wither on the vine, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the Rams’ young blood copes in the heat of an FA Cup battle.

Chorley have already knocked out Wigan, after coming back from two goals down, so we know they will be motivated, streetwise and gunning for another upset.

It will be fascinating to see if Wassall’s youngsters can bridge that gap between age-group and firstteam football.

Many Premier League clubs who have entered their Under-23 sides in the EFL’S Papa Johns Trophy find they don’t often get an easy ride.

Although the circumstances of Derby sending their kids into battle are unfortunate, this is a good stage for them to show what home-grown talent from an academy can deliver.

WHAT’S the worst thing I ever did to break the rules as a player? Probably making an urgent pit stop in referee Graham Poll’s toilet before a game at Filbert Street.

I was fined £10,000 for what I considered to be a gastric emergency – although I didn’t actually know I was breaking any rule at the time.

But I was never fined by a manager for being late for training or any disciplinary offence off the pitch.

That didn’t make me an angel, but if anyone knows where I can find a good halo...