Gary Rowett says he’s pleased with the contribution of Tom Lawrence after he set up Matej Vydra’s crucial equaliser at Fulham.


The Wales international forward showed his attacking quality with a fine run and through-ball for Vydra to fire home.

Lawrence joined Derby from Premier League Leicester City during the summer transfer window and has been a regular in Rowett’s starting line-up ever since.

“He is contributing in games for us and working incredibly hard,” he told RamsTV.

“We saw with the goal at Fulham what he can do. He chased back, won the ball and drove at Fulham before playing Vyds in to score.

“That is what he is capable of. I am really pleased with him and he’s a threat which is what we want our forward players to be.”


Lawrence has come agonisingly close to scoring his first Derby goal on a number of occasions.

He’s been denied by opposition goalkeepers and the woodwork – but Rowett insists the wideman isn’t far away from getting on the scoresheet.

“He might not have scored yet but we won’t beat him up about it; he’s got assists and is setting up chances,” he said.

“As I said, he’s getting chances and setting them up too so we know his moment will come as well.”