Qualification for the next round of the Premier League Cup is up for grabs for Derby County’s Under-23s ahead of a tasty local derby meeting with Nottingham Forest on Monday evening.
The Rams travel to the City Ground looking for revenge against the Reds (kick-off: 7pm) and 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
Darren Wassall will have a similar squad to call upon when Derby County’s Under-23s travel to face Nottingham Forest.
The only inclusion could see Max Hunt come into the side for his first involvement since signing from Matlock Town in January.
The towering centre back missed last Sunday’s clash with Manchester United with an ankle injury, but he should be ok to return to action at the City Ground.
Kyle McAllister continues to be ruled out of action.
SETTING THE SCENE
Win and Derby’s Under-23s will qualify for the knockout stages of the Premier League Cup on Monday evening.
The Rams take on their local rivals three points ahead of them in Group A and boasting a superior goal difference.
To date, Darren Wassall’s men have claimed three wins from four games – including their resounding 7-2 success over Birmingham City at St George’s Park.
The second half showing against the Blues, in particular, was superb and the club’s academy director is looking for a repeat counter-attack display.
The only defeat the Rams have suffered in the competition was to Forest, who were packed with experienced players on the night.
“There is always a little bit more spice, earlier in the season they brought a very strong side to Pride Park, which shows how important it was for them,” he said.
“We understand that Monday is going to be exactly the same, they will want to put one over their local rivals.
“It will be a very tough encounter but we’re looking forward to it because we’re doing well in this competition.
“We need to take the previously performance in this competition against Birmingham where, in the second half particularly, we ran riot and we were at our very best as a counter-attacking side.
“We’ll go into the game full of confidence thanks to our outings in the league and the last one in this competition, and we’re looking forward to the game.”
Read Darren Wassall’s and Lewis Walker’s full pre-match interviews now on dcfc.co.uk.
HOW CAN I ATTEND?
Supporters wishing to back Darren Wassall’s side in their pursuit for qualification to the next round of the Premier League Cup will be able to gain entry to the stadium.
Ticket prices have been confirmed by Nottingham Forest as follows:
£4 Adults
£1 Children
Please note that tickets can only be purchased in-person at the ticket office or via the booking line on 0115 982 4388.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME?
DERBY COUNTY U23s 1-2 NOTTINGHAM FOREST U23s
Monday 6th November, 2017
Derby County’s Under-23s put in a spirited display but were ultimately undone by an experienced Nottingham Forest side as Zach Clough led the visitors to a 2-1 win in the Premier League Cup at Pride Park Stadium.
The 22-year-old forward scored one and set up another for Matt Cash to cancel out Charles Vernam’s early opener and secure the points in Group A.
Derby County U23s: Barnes; Stabana, Bateman, Wassall, Lowe; Bird (Macdonald, 74), Guy; Thomas, Vernam, Walker; Jakobsen (Mitchell-Lawson, 64)
Substitutes not used: Ravas, Cover, Karic
Nottingham Forest U23s: Henderson; Lawrence-Gabriel, Mills, Crookes, Ahmedhodzic; Bouchalakis (Edser, 75); Cash (Taylor, 85), Otim; Clough (Smith, 80); Walters, Gomis
Substitutes not used: Wright, Stewart
HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE ACTION?
Presenting live from the City Ground Rams supporters not attending Mondays fixture will be able to follow all of the action LIVE and for FREE on RamsTV. As usual, you will also be able to keep up to date with all the key moments across the official Derby County Academy Twitter account, @dcfcacademy, whilst a full match report, match images, reaction and match highlights will follow across dcfc.co.uk and RamsTV after the full-time whistle.
