New men give boss choice

THE addition of Phil Jagielka and Sam Baldock gives manager Wayne Rooney options for tonight’s Championship match away to Hull City (7.45pm).

Derby have shaped up 4-2-3-1 this season and, if that remains the case, then Rooney could go with Jagielka and Curtis Davies as the centre-back pairing, Nathan Byrne at right-back and either Craig Forsyth or Lee Buchanan at left-back, depending on whether or not Buchanan has recovered from a thigh injury.

Jack Stretton replaced the injured Kazim-Richards at Peterborough and produced a fine finish for Derby’s goal but Rooney could opt for the more experienced Baldock to lead the attack.

Louie Sibley has sparked Derby into life when he has come off the bench this season and gets the nod over Kamil Jozwiak.

Rooney could go with the following team in a 4-2-3-1 formation: Roos; Byrne, Jagielka, Davies, Forysth or Buchanan; Shinnie, Bird; Sibley, Morrison, Lawrence; Baldock

Jagielka’s arrival could tempt Rooney into starting with a back three and wing-backs in more of a 3-4-1-2 shape, although that needs work on the training ground.

Wing-back roles suit Byrne, who struggled defensively in the defeat at Peterborough, and Buchanan better than full-back berths. It eases their defensive duties and invites them to supplement attacks.

Forsyth has also shown he can have an impact as a left wing-back and is arguably the best crosser of the three.

The wing-backs could provide the width and shape that allows Ravel Morrison to play more central where he can be more involved than we saw in the first half at Peterborough, when he started towards the left.

Tom Lawrence could support Baldock in a front two.

This could be a starting 11 in a 3-41-2 shape: Roos; Jagielka, Davies, Stearman; Byrne, Shinnie, Bird, Forsyth or Buchanan; Morrison; Lawrence, Baldock.