Rooney had his eyes on eight more recruits
WAYNE Rooney would still like to add eight more players to his Derby County squad.
The manager’s plans have been hampered by the transfer embargo the club is currently operating under.
The embargo was relaxed to allow the Rams to add free agents Curtis
Davies, Richard Stearman, Ryan Allsop and Ravel Morrison to their squad. They also received special dispensation to bring in Phil Jagielka and Sam Baldock – also free agents – due to long-term injuries to Colin Kazim-Richards and Krystian Bielik.
But Derby are not able to add more new faces as things stand.
The transfer window closes on August 31, although clubs can sign free agents at any time.
Asked if he still wants to strengthen his squad heavily, Rooney said: “If I am being honest, I would like to bring eight more players in.
“Unfortunately, I can’t bring one in. That is where we are at.
“I had plans which we made towards the end of last season and obviously during pre-season we had to adjust them. My initial plan was to bring a lot of players in. Unfortunately, I can’t.”
Rooney was also asked if that was still possible within the budget. He said: “I think, for instance, from when Frank Lampard was here it’s an enormous drop to what the salary is and it’s an enormous drop from last season.
“Where we are at, we are not allowed to bring players in, so I have to get this squad ready for the next
game because it is a big game for us.”
The Rams will be without Tom Lawrence and Festy Ebosele for the match against Middlesbrough at Pride Park Stadium today.
Both players had to sit out the midweek victory away to Hull City. Skipper Lawrence has a groin injury and Ebosele has a problem with his knee.
Rooney said: “Tom Lawrence and Festy Ebosele won’t be involved. The squad will be the same as it was for the Hull game.”
The Rams manager was speaking at yesterday’s press conference and was asked if he was surprised by the start his team has made.
“No, disapppointed, if I am being honest,” he said.
“We have played some really good stuff in all of the games at times.
“I am not disappointed with the players, I am disappointed in terms of the points tally because everyone who watched the game against Peterborough knows there is no way we should have come away from that game with no points – at worst, come away with one point but we should have come away with three points.
“I think four points is a solid start and we have two home games in the League coming up and we need to take advantage of that.”
Rooney wants his players to be more clinical against Middlesbrough but said the Hull win gave the squad a huge boost.
“It was a big win for us, an important victory, well deserved,” he added. “We played well and created chances.
“I am asking the players to be more clinical, we could have made it a lot easier for ourselves by scoring more goals.
“It was a big goal for Sam (Baldock) on his debut and the lads are buzzing and ready for the game.
“We have to be more clincial because the way we are playing allows us to create chances.”