Cocu wary of threat from lowly Iron in first round clash
BIELIK COULD MAKE RAMS DEBUT AT GLANFORD PARK
PHILLIP Cocu has warned against complacency as Derby County prepare to take on Scunthorpe United in the Carabao Cup tonight.
Scunthorpe sit bottom of League Two going into the first round tie at Glanford Park (7.45pm).
They lost 4-1 away at Cheltenham Town on Saturday having fallen 2-0 at home in their opening fixture against Swindon Town.
Derby are unbeaten in their two league games so far and have picked up four points.
They won 2-1 against Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium and drew 0-0 at home to Swansea City at the weekend.
But Rams boss Phillip Cocu is taking little notice of Scunthorpe’s position and says Derby must make sure they are not on the end of a “surprise” result.
“It does not say a lot that they are at the bottom because only two games have been played,” he said.
“You have to be aware because they will be even more motivated against us than they may be in a league game.
“It is a big game, they play at home, and so we have to take responsibility on ourselves. We have to focus on our own game and to perform at our maximum level because there are always many surprises in the cup - we have to make sure we are not one of them.”
Derby progressed to the fourth round of last season’s competition.
They won 2-0 at Oldham Athletic and 4-0 at Hull City before being drawn against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The tie against Jose Mourinho’s United ended 2-2 before the Rams won on penalties to set up a clash with Frank Lampard’s old club, Chelsea.
Derby gave Chelsea a scare at Stamford Bridge before they lost 3-2.
Krystian Bielik could make his Derby debut tonight.
Bielik has not featured since completing his big-money move from Arsenal because he has been building his fitness.
Cocu has said there is a chance of the 21-year-old being involved at Glanford Park.
“He’s doing well, feeling better every day,” said Cocu.
“We just have to judge and speak with him, personally, if it could be an option to get minutes in a game. “It’s a possibility.”
Jayden Bogle misses out through injury.
The young right-back limped off early in the second half of the Swansea game. Max Lowe, a left back, replaced Bogle and could continue against Scunthorpe.
Duane Holmes will not be ready to face his former club as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury.