RAMS DERBY RAIDS DRIVE ME

TOM HUDDLESTONE reckons the opportunity to again be involved in the East Midlands derby between Derby and Nottingham Forest was a big part of his decision to rejoin the Rams.

The Nottingham-born former Tottenham and England midfielder first played in the clash 15 years ago and tomorrow at the iPro Stadium he will be part of it for the fifth time.

He has never been on the losing side, either, with Derby winning three of those games.

Huddlestone said: “Fifteen years is a long time but they still mean as much to me now as they did then.

“Everyone knows the general rivalry but, on a personal level, being born and raised in Nottingham, my family are Forest fans. I’m living back in Nottingham now, and being let go by them when I was a kid, that all makes for a good mix.

“I was there from Under-9s to Under-12s. I could have gone back on a trial basis.

“But a few weeks later I signed for Derby at the start of the Under-13s season and kicked on fairly quickly after that.”