Derby County Vs Leicester City
Thursday 23rd February 2012
npower Championship
Kick-Off 7:45pm
The Rams take on Leicester City at Pride Park on Thursday night, live in front of the Sky Sports cameras, in what looks set to be a fascinating East Midlands derby.
Saturday's defeat to npower Championship league-leaders Southampton leaves the Rams nine points away from a play-off place, whilst Leicester ran out 2-1 winners over Premier League side Norwich City, to secure their path into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
The two side's go into Thursday night's East Midlands derby level on points in the Championship, but despite beating Carling Cup finalists Cardiff City 2-1 earlier this month, Nigel Pearson's men have endured an indifferent run in the league recently, as the side lost to Watford 3-2 and Brighton and Hove Albion 1-0.
Derby County Team News
Defender John Brayford is out of Thursday night's East Midlands derby, after an MRI scan on Monday revealed the 24-year-old had suffered a torn thigh muscle.
Craig Bryson, who missed his first npower Championship fixture of the season on Saturday at Southampton with an achilles injury, returned to full training earlier this week and his expected to available for selection.
Elsewhere, Mark O'Brien (cruciate ligament) and Saul Deeney (shoulder) are Nigel Clough's only other absentees as they continue their rehabilitation from long-term injury.
Leicester City Team News
The Foxes could have former Manchester United man Danny Drinkwater available for selection after the midfielder recovered from a foot injury sooner than expected.
The 21-year-old is believed to be in contention for a starting spot alongside defenders Sol Bamba and John Pantsil, who recently returned from the Africa Cup of Nations.
However, Paul Gallagher, Martyn Waghorn (both hamstring), Andy King (foot), Darius Vassell, Jeff Schlup (both knee) and Matt Oakley (groin) are all ruled out.
We said....
Manager Nigel Clough: "When you compare the spending and the expectations of the two clubs, I think it just goes to show, despite our recent run of form, how well we have done to be level on points with them.
"Everybody said at the start of the season, 'if you are anywhere near Leicester, you won't be far off'. But they have got the resources, the time and the squad to get up there come the end of the season, and certainly, the FA Cup win will give them a confidence boost.
Keep An Eye On....
Jermaine Beckford. The former Leeds United forward has netted eight times since his £2.5 million move from Premier League side Everton.
The 28-year-old has been a major driving force behind the club's FA Cup run, scoring five times in four games, including a hat-trick against Nottingham Forest in the third round replay at the King Power Stadium.
Beckford began his career at side Wealdstone, before he attracted the interest of Leeds United after scoring 35 goals in 40 games for the non-league club.
After enduring loan spells with Scunthorpe United and Carlisle United, Beckford returned to Elland Road and the following season, the striker netted 35 goals in all competitions, including the winner at Old Trafford as Leeds overcame Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup.
In May 2010, Beckford signed for Everton on a four-year contract on a free transfer. The forward scored his first goal for the club, a penalty, against Huddersfield Town in the League Cup in August 2010.
However, the following season Everton accepted a £2.5m bid for Beckford from the Foxes. Beckford arrived at the King Power Stadium just 40 minutes before the transfer window closed to sign a four-year contract, making him Leicester City's 12th signing of the summer.
The Man In The Middle
Simon Hooper from Wiltshire will oversee proceedings at Pride Park on Thursday night.
Hooper has taken charge of 21 matches at various levels this season, producing a total of 60 yellows and six reds.
He last took charge of a Rams fixture in 2010, in the side's 2-1 away defeat to Doncaster Rovers. Hooper was the man in the middle in the Rams' 6-1 defeat to Cardiff City earlier that season.
Ticket Information
Thursday's game is a GOLD category fixture and tickets are available right up until kick-off.
Prices start from £25 for adults, £15.50 for senior citizens and young adults and £10.50 for under-18s - with matchday prices up by as much as £3 compared to buying in advance.
Full ticket details can be found by logging on to WeAreDerby.com.
Fancy A Flutter
Coral, the official betting and gaming partner of dcfc.co.uk, are offering odds of 15/8 for the Rams to secure all three points at home to Leicester City.
A draw is priced at 12/5, and Coral are also offering odds of 11/8 for Nigel Pearson's side to return to winning ways in the npower Championship after losing 3-2 to Watford last time out.
Rams midfielder Jeff Hendrick is 5/1 to score at any time, whilst Coral are offering odds of 13/2 for Nathan Tyson to score the first or last goal of the game.
More odds on the game and the rest of this upcoming weekend's matches are available at http://www.coral.co.uk/fli/derby-county.
