Changes are in the air

A THIRD game in seven days for Derby County is likely to see Wayne Rooney make changes to the team.

The Rams take on Watford at Vicarage Road tonight, having recorded back-to-back wins against Middlesbrough and Wycombe Wanderers.

Rooney was delighted with the last-gasp win at Wycombe on Tuesday, courtesy of Andre Wisdom’s 94th-minute goal, but he was disappointed by his team’s performance.

He changed full-backs at Adams Park. Nathan Byrne and Lee Buchanan, the regular right-back and left-back, dropped to the bench and in came Teden Mengi, for his first start following his loan move from Manchester United, and the experienced Craig Forsyth.

It would not be a surprise to see Byrne and Buchanan return to the starting 11 at Watford. Byrne had started the previous 11 matches, Buchanan nine of the previous 11.

Derby are hoping central defender Matt Clarke recovers from a knock on the hip he suffered at Wycombe, with loan signing George Edmundson an option to face Watford should Clarke miss out.

Another of the new loan signings, Patrick Roberts, could be handed his first start.

The winger was set to line up against Middlesbrough last Saturday only to be troubled by injury. He was an unused substitute against Boro but came off the bench at Wycombe.

Martyn Waghorn and Kamil Jozwiak filled the wide roles against Wycombe.

Waghorn had a hand in both of Derby’s goals. His corner led to Derby’s opening goal when Uche Ikpeazu found his own net and then his free kick rebounded off a post for Wisdom to score.

Jozwiak had a frustrating game, drifting in and out of the action before he was replaced by Roberts after 67 minutes.

Beni Baningime, on loan from Everton, is an option if Rooney wants fresh legs in midfield.

Baningime was not involved at Wycombe as clubs can only name five loan players in a match-day squad.

POSSIBLE RAMS 11: Marshall; Byrne, Wisdom, Clarke (or Edmundson), Buchanan; Waghorn, Shinnie, Knight, Roberts; Gregory, Kazim-richards.