Attentions turn to the Premier League Cup on Friday night when Derby County’s Under-23s face Middlesbrough looking for an immediate return to winning ways.
The Rams face the current Group A table-toppers at St George’s Park (kick-off: 7pm) and ahead of the meeting, dcfc.co.uk has pulled together all the information you are going to need to know ahead of kick-off…
WHAT’S THE LATEST TEAM NEWS
Derby County’s Under-23s will have a familiar squad to call upon when they face Middlesbrough in their latest Premier League Cup outing.
Mason Bennett and Darren Bent figured in the Rams’ last meeting – a 2-0 defeat to Leicester City – and Gary Rowett has hinted that the pair could once again feature to build up their match fitness.
Max Lowe and Jamie Hanson will also continue building up their fitness levels, whilst Jason Shackell could make his return to action too.
That aside, Alex Cover, Kyron Stabana and Calum Macdonald have joined Alfreton Town, Boston United and Barrow respectively on youth loan deals, but are still allowed to feature for Derby’s Under-23s.
Kyle McAllister continues to be ruled out of action.
SETTING THE SCENE
Group A are all locked on three points as the third round of Premier League Cup fixtures get underway on Friday evening.
Each team have won and lost a game – Derby started with a 1-0 win over Birmingham City, before narrowly losing 2-1 to an experienced Nottingham Forest side.
On the flip side, Boro began with a comfortable win over the Reds, but were then beaten by the Blues.
Darren Wassall’s Rams are well primed to still qualify from the group and after missing out on that opportunity last season, Craig Short says the players are relishing a cup run.
He told RamsTV: “The cups are welcome additions, we’ve got a bigger squad and more players are getting games, the main thing for us is getting players out on the pitch.
“Even when we play an 11 v 11 practice match against the first team, it’s not the same as playing in a competition like this.
“This time last year, we were finding it very difficult, but now we’re relishing it.”
Read Craig Short’s and Alex Babos’ full pre-match interviews now on dcfc.co.uk.
HOW CAN I ATTEND?
As was the case last season, supporters will be able to watch Derby County’s Under-23s for FREE at St George’s Park this evening.
No tickets for admission is needed ahead of the fixture at Burton-upon-Trent base, whilst car parking spaces are available on a first come first served basis.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME?
DERBY COUNTY U21s 2-1 MIDDLESBROUGH U21s
Friday 15th August, 2014
Derby County’s then Under 21 side got their 2014/15 campaign underway in the U21 Premier League Division 2 with a 2-1 home win against Middlesbrough at the Pride Park Stadium.
After achieving Category One Academy status in the summer, the game was Derby’s debut in the top flight of Under-21 football.
A first-minute penalty from Alefe Santos set Derby on their way and a goal just after the half hour mark from Kwame Thomas had the Rams in complete control at the break.
However, Middlesbrough managed to find a way back into the game and Charlie Wyke set up a tense finish when he pulled a goal back on 74 minutes, but Derby held on to start their campaign in winning fashion.
Derby County Under 21s: Roos; Hendrie (Guy, 78), Rawson, Hanson, Lowe; Naylor, Koblenz, Bunjaku; Calero, Santos, Thomas.
Substitutes Not Used: Cover, Morch, Vernam, McDonald
Middlesbrough Under 21s: Ripley, Bennett, Burgess, Burn, A Halliday, Atkinson (Jones 65), Morris, Kitching, Wyke, Cooke, B Halliday (Warnett, 83)
Substitutes Not Used: Weloji, Coddington, Tinkler
HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE ACTION?
