EX-DERBY DEFENDER LOWE JOINS REDS AHEAD OF TRIP TO PRIDE PARK
STRIKER BALDOCK A DOUBT FOR PRIDE PARK SHOWDOWN
WAYNE Rooney had to utilise his Derby County squad in a week when a Carabao Cup tie was sandwiched by two home Championship fixtures.
The Rams drew 0-0 with Middlesbrough last Saturday before Rooney made eight changes to the side that took on Sheffield United at Bramall Lane and lost 2-1.
Now it is back to the League and a visit from neighbours and rivals Nottingham Forest.
Goalkeeper Kelle Roos, defenders Nathan Byrne, Phil Jagielka and Curtis Davies are expected to return to the Rams starting 11, as is the midfield pairing of Max Bird and Graeme Shinnie, along with Ravel Morrison.
Skipper Tom Lawrence has missed the last three games due to a groin problem but he is likely to feature against Forest.
“He is improving, I think he will be involved with the way he is improving from his injury,” said Rooney.
“If he is to start the game, it will be with an injection.
“I feel the time now, with the international break coming, is a good time so he can get his rest after. If it was a game Saturday and then Tuesday, then he wouldn’t be involved.”
Sam Baldock was replaced after 73 minutes of the Middlesbrough game and is a doubt (hamstring) but Derby will be hoping he is available.
The striker was not involved at Sheffield, having started the previous two matches.
Louie Sibley is also pushing hard for a start given his form so far this season. He scored his first goal of the campaign at Sheffield.
■ Could this be the Rams 11 to take on Forest? Roos; Byrne, Jagielka, Davies, Forsyth; Bird, Shinnie;
Jozwiak, Morrison, Lawrence; Baldock.
FORMER Derby County defender Max Lowe has joined Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan and he could face the Rams on Saturday.
The 24-year-old left-back progressed through the youth system at
Derby and made 48 appearances for the first team. He signed for Sheffield United in September 2020 in a joint deal with Jayden Bogle.
Lowe, who has played only 11 times for the Blades, has become Forest’s fifth summer signing.
The Rams and the Reds meet in a Championship clash at Pride Park Stadium today (12.30pm).
Lowe told Forest’s website: “This was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.
“After speaking to the manager, it was a no brainer. As a player, you get that feel and move into a club and it felt comfortable.
“I want to be a regular in the team
and help the team get wins and climb up the table.”
When asked about today’s match at Derby, Lowe said: “I know the rivalry very well but I know what shirt I have on this season and I’m proud to be here and will give it my all.”
Forest defenders Joe Worrall and
Loic Mbe Soh have returned to training ahead of today’s clash against the Rams.
Worrall has yet to play this season due to a calf problem, while Mbe Soh was forced off with a groin injury in the opening game against Coventry City.
That has left Scott McKenna and
Tobias Figueiredo as the only two senior centre-backs available for boss Chris Hughton, with the Portuguese having also been out of action during pre-season.
Hughton was coy when asked whether Worrall or Mbe Soh could have a part to play against the Rams.
“The only update would be Joe Worrall and Loic Mbe Soh joined in part of the training,” said Hughton.
“That certainly means they are on an upward spiral as regards their fitness and their involvement with the team. Joe Lolley is still ill and Nuno Da Costa and Jordi Osei-Tutu are still out injured.
“The likelihood (of Worrall and Mbe Soh featuring) is, probably, no. But these are always the decisions I have to make.
“They have been out for a period of time. They had some involvement with the team on Thursday in part of the training, so that certainly means they are now back in training with the group – and doing their extra work afterwards.”
DERBY County and Nottingham Forest will battle out a 1-1 draw today, according to Sky Sports pundit David Prutton.
The Rams are without a win against their neighbours in eight attempts going back to the 2-0 victory in October 2017.
“Now this will be a game and a half,” Prutton said.
“When most Championship observers looked ahead to this fixture at the start of the season, I doubt too many would have tipped Derby to be on five points and Nottingham Forest to be on none at this stage. Yet here we are.
“Wayne Rooney has done brilliantly to get the Rams to where they are at this point when you consider what they are operating with.
“For Forest and Chris Hughton, it has just been a disastrous start. He needs a win more than anything, but will still be desperate not to get beaten and I reckon they will pick up a first point of the season.”