Ahead of Derby County’s trip to the Madejski Stadium this weekend, dcfc.co.uk provides you with all you need to know ahead of this weekend’s clash with Reading…


Craig Bryson will be given every chance to prove his fitness as he pushes for a return to the Derby County matchday squad.

The Scotland international missed Tuesday night’s 2-0 victory over Cardiff City with a tight groin problem suffered in last weekend’s meeting with Blackburn Rovers.

Marcus Olsson is also in the same boat, but is more likely to return to the first team picture after he also missed the Rams’ midweek clash in Wales.


The full back suffered a slight knock a week ago.

Jason Shackell is continuing to respond well to treatment on a calf injury that has kept him out of action since the home meeting with Newcastle United, but he will not be ready for a return against Reading.

Derby will still be without George Thorne (leg) and Craig Forsyth (knee) are also remain long term absentees.


Speaking to the media ahead of this weekend’s game, Chris Powell told Rams Player HD: “It’s very important that we have the opportunity now to do what a lot of teams like to do in the Championship - and that’s get back-to-back wins.


“I thought the performance at Cardiff was easily our best of the season so far. Our passages of play, passing and decision making was very, very good.


“Like I put on record on Tuesday night, the players have been that focused since the defeat to Blackburn Rovers last weekend.


“The gauntlet that’s been put down to them is to do it all again and build on the victory down at Cardiff.”

On Derby’s opponents on Saturday, Powell added: “We’re up against a side that have had a pretty good season so far.


“They had a big loss on Tuesday (4-1 at Brentford) so I am sure that their manager, Jaap Stam, will be looking for a response from them.”


> 


An England Under 21 international, John Swift has made a strong start to life at the Madejski Stadium and is quickly becoming a marked man for the Royals.

With four games in all competitions to his name, the 21-year-old Chelsea academy product is Reading’s leading goalscorer after sealing his first permanent move this summer just gone.

At Chelsea, he lifted the FA Youth Cup in 2012, playing his part in a 4-0 first-leg victory against Blackburn Rovers that would be enough to earn him his first piece of silverware in his career.


Swift helped Chelsea’s Under 21s claim the Premier League title in 2013/14, scoring nine goals in 26 appearances for the Blues and made his professional bow as an 18-year-old, coming off the bench to replace Eden Hazard in a 2-1 win for Chelsea against Cardiff in May 2014.

He enjoyed spells with Rotherham United and Swindon Town the following season, helping the latter reach the League One Play-Off Final in 2015. Swift then linked up with Brentford for 2015/16, making a big impression at Griffin Park.

The Portsmouth-born playmaker scored seven goals in 27 league appearances whilst on loan with Brentford, including a brace against Wolves and a final day of the season strike at Huddersfield Town on his final appearance for the Bees in May.

On the international scene, Swift has represented England from U16 through to U21 level and he recently helped Gareth Southgate’s men to Toulon tournament triumph out in Avignon – playing a part in a 4-0 win over Paraguay, a 1-0 win against Japan and the 2-1 victory over France in the final back in May.


Tickets for Derby County’s Sky Bet Championship fixture at Reading on Saturday afternoon will be available up until kick-off (3pm).

Fans had the opportunity to pre-purchase tickets in advance before they went off sale at 3pm on Friday afternoon.

Reading will be selling tickets from 1pm at the South Stand Ticket Office between gates 9 and 10.


Cash and card payment is accepted, and the Season Ticket Holders price is no longer available.


Reading are also selling tickets to Derby supporters in advance over the phone on 0118 968 1313.


Matchday prices are as follows:


£23 Adults
£16 Senior Citizens (65+)
£13 18-24 Years
£8 Under 18s


Anyone who wishes to purchase a concession ticket should take photographic proof of age with them.


Disabled supporters’ information can be found by following this link: dcfc.co.uk/tickets/away_tickets.aspx.


Reading will be happy to help any Rams supporters who have any questions or ticket queries ahead of the game.


Full details can be found on their website, which is readingfc.co.uk.


READING 0-1 DERBY COUNTY
Tuesday 15 September, 2015



Tom Ince opened his account for the 2015/16 season with the winning goal as Derby County recorded a 1-0 win over 10 man Reading just over 12 months ago.

The wideman converted Chris Martin’s pass beyond Jonathan Bond with just over 20 minutes remaining as the Rams recorded their second successive win at the Madejski Stadium.

The winning goal after the Royals had been reduced to ten men after Orlando Sa was sent off for an off the ball incident as Reading’s own three-game winning streak, at that time, came to an end.

For large periods of the game, Derby remained resolute at the back and frustrated the home side to very little sight of Scott Carson’s goal.

Reading: Bond, Gunter, Obita, McShane, Hector, Norwood, Tshibola (McCleary, 80), Quinn (Robson-Kanu, 67), Blackman, Sa, Vydra (Williams, 63)

Substitutes not used: Al-Habsi, Piazon, John, Cooper

Derby County: Carson, Christie, Keogh, Shackell, Forsyth; Johnson, Hendrick (Bent, 62), Butterfield (Hanson, 74); Ince (Weimann, 84), Russell, Martin (C)

Substitutes not used: Grant, Dawkins, Pearce, Warnock

Attendance: 15,697 (1,293 Derby fans)

 


Tim Robinson will take charge of Derby County's Sky Bet Championship fixture at Reading on Saturday afternoon.

The official has overseen ten games so far this season, producing 47 yellows and two reds.


His last Derby game was the 1-0 home defeat to Ipswich Town last season.

He will be assisted by Andrew Fox and Mark Jones on the lines, whilst Akil Howson has been appointed as the Fourth Official.


Remember, you can follow Derby County every step of the way throughout the season with dcfc.co.uk and Rams Player HD.

You can follow all the action from before, during and after Saturday’s game via the club’s social media channels – including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

We’ll have live updates on Twitter, goal updates on Facebook as well as a number of match action shots featuring as the action unfolds.

Rams Player HD is Derby County's official online TV station and has been designed for you, the fans, with a cutting edge user-friendly design to give the ultimate online fan experience.

Fully Apple MAC compatible, Rams Player HD allows fans to sit back and enjoy the benefits of being a subscriber in crystal clear clarity and is available at the bargain price of just 10p per day, with various packages and special offers available throughout the season.

Don't forget that Derby County supporters can also now access Rams Player HD on their iPhone, iPad and Android mobile device.

So Rams fans can listen to live match commentary and watch video highlights and interviews wherever they are.

Rams Player is the first place for Derby County news, views and exclusive interviews, as well as the ability to watch match highlights and games in full.

Follow this link to sign up to Rams Player HD: http://www.player.dcfc.co.uk

Here's what you get as part of the Rams Player package:

INTERVIEWS: Exclusive pre-match and post-match interviews from every Rams game – home and away!

THE FULL 90: Rams Player HD strives to have the full 90 minutes from every single first-team game online within 48 hours of the final whistle, providing the perfect opportunity for fans who can’t get to the game or live abroad not to miss a minute!

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Highlights from each and every first-team game appear on Rams Player within 24 hours after every match, ensuring you don't miss out on the goals and talking points from the latest game.

FULL MATCH COMMENTARY: Rams Player HD is the ONLY place supporters can listen to Derby County's first-team matches online, with commentary is provided by BBC Radio Derby and provides near-DAB quality sound of every match.

EXTENDED MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Rams Player HD will provide supporters with extended match highlights of every first-team game.

The price for Rams Player HD over the 2016/17 season is fixed at £37.99 (direct debit) and £42.99 (credit card) just £4.49 per month (10p per day).

To take full advantage of the video and audio service, and to get access to plenty more exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from the iPro Stadium and the Training Centre in partnership with the University of Derby, sign up now.

Tweets by @ dcfcofficial