Why Shay is missing for Rams

DERBY County boss Wayne Rooney has explained the absence of first-team coach Shay Given.

Given has not been at pre-season with the Rams and was not at the opening fixture of pre-season against Manchester United yesterday.

“Shay is currently in the middle of negotiating a new deal,” said Rooney.

“But, like everything else, things have been put on hold at the minute until everything gets sorted.

“He is a coach I want to bring back in to work with us because he is a vital part of what we are trying to do but for the time being that’s on hold, so myself, Liam (Rosenior), Justin (Walker) and Jason (Pearcey) have to carry on doing our jobs and make sure we get the lads ready.”

Given joined Derby’s backroom staff in June 2018, initially as goalkeeping coach, but was promoted to first-team coach in January.