Rowett reunion won’t affect our play - Frank
FRANK Lampard says the Gary Rowett factor will not have an effect on his Derby County team tonight.
The Rams make the short trip to the bet365 Stadium for a Championship clash with Stoke City (8pm), who are managed by former Derby boss Rowett.
It will be the first time Rowett has faced the Rams since he left in May to take over at Stoke - a decision that angered some Derby fans.
Tonight’s clash has been an eagerly-awaited date since the fixtures came out in the summer but Lampard, who replaced Rowett at Derby, said: “We cannot get caught up in that.
“We can use the atmosphere, yes. Stoke is a tough place to go but in a way a good place because if you go and play well you can turn around a difficult atmosphere and make it your own.
“That is what we need to try to do. “Our fans, I believe, will be in good voice.
“They will be supporting the team as they always do.”
Asked if the Rowett factor adds extra spice to the game, Lampard said: “Not for me and not for the players, I don’t think, even the players who played under him.
“It’s a game for us, as Derby County, to go and try to win and I’ll treat it exactly how I treated Sheffield Wednesday and how I will treat Swansea City at the weekend.
“For the fans, yes, we’re not stupid - a manager leaves to go to another club, it brings a certain type of atmosphere with it.
“We’re all adults about it. We’ll have good support on the day. Gary Rowett is going to try to set up his team to beat us - and that’s it.
“I’ve spoken to him (Rowett) a couple of times and I have respect for him, for the career he has had as a player and a manager.
“I look forward to seeing him and going up against him, and his team.” ■ Derby County boss Frank Lampard says he would not be surprised to see his uncle Harry Redknapp back in the dugout.
Redknapp is currently a contestant in the ITV show ‘I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!.’
The 71-year-old has vast experience as a manager having been in charge at Bournemouth, West Ham United, Portsmouth, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Queens Park Rangers and Birmingham City.
He also had a brief spell as football advisor at Derby in 2016.
Lampard did not rule out a return to management for Redknapp, when asked about his uncle.
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” said Lampard.
“He has got so much energy, so much know-how, he knows the game inside out and he has such a great record as a manager.
“He might be freshly ready for a job once he comes out of the jungle!”