Derby County’s Under-23s will round off their Premier League Cup Group A campaign with a long trip north to face Middlesbrough on Friday evening.
The Rams, who have already qualified for the knockout stages of the competition, will be looking to secure a fifth win from six matches (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
With qualification and top spot already secured in Group A, Darren Wassall could opt to freshen up his squad when Derby County’s Under-23s face Middlesbrough in their final group fixture.
Several players are pushing for an opportunity to start, including the likes of Matty Taylor and Morgan Whittaker, who featured in the 3-1 win at Everton.
Wassall could also opt to stick with the same side that performed so well as the Rams aim to build on their back-to-back wins.
Kyle McAllister, however, remains ruled out through injury.
SETTING THE SCENE
Top spot and qualification for the knockout stages of the Premier League Cup have already been secured by the Rams ahead of Friday’s game.
Wassall’s side have won four of their five Group A matches so far – with their 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest sweetly sealing their passage into the next round of the competition.
In comparison, Middlesbrough sit bottom having won just one of their four games to date.
Although there is nothing riding on the game results wide, Alex Cover told dcfc.co.uk that the game is still ‘100 per cent’ important for the Rams.
Why? It is all about maintaining momentum.
“We’re unbeaten in a few games at the moment and have won our last two as well. Most importantly now, we want to keep that going,” he said ahead of the game.
“Momentum is important and if we can get another win you begin to really carry some weight behind you.
“Friday’s game is important, regardless of the fact that we have qualified. We want to go and win that game, there’s no doubt about that.
“We want to build consistency in our performances and results and continue to push on, both in the league and in this competition.
“We haven’t had much of a taste for knockout football in recent years and again, that’s something we’re all looking forward to.”
Read Alex Cover’s and Joe Bateman’s full pre-match interviews now on dcfc.co.uk.
HOW CAN I ATTEND?
Supporters wishing to back Darren Wassall’s side against Everton will be able to do so by purchasing a ticket upon arrival at Heritage Park, the home of Bishop Auckland.
Admission, for all age groups, has been priced at £3.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME?
DERBY COUNTY U23s 2-1 MIDDLESBROUGH U23s
Friday 1st December, 2017
Derby County's Under-23s returned to winning ways at St George's Park as goals from Darren Bent and Luke Thomas earned a 2-1 comeback win against Middlesbrough in the Premier League Cup back in December.
Darren Wassall selected an experienced eleven and they had to react after going behind to Hayden Coulson's early header.
Bent and Mason Bennett were stepping up their return from injury and the former grabbed the leveller, before the in-form Thomas secured the points in Group A.
Derby County: Barnes; Bogle, Wassall, Shackell, Lowe; Hanson, Guy; Thomas, Vernam (Babos, 73’), Bennett; Bent
Substitutes not used: Ravas, Bateman, Zanzala, Jakobsen
Middlesbrough: Pears; Hegarty, Mahmutovic, Brewitt, McGinley; Liddle, Wing; Coulson (Wilson, 88'), Curry (O'Neill, 77'), Malley (Reading, 84'); Miller
Substitutes not used: James, Hood
HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE ACTION?
Rams supporters not attending Friday’s fixture at Heritage Park 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.
