Full-back Jayden Bogle is set to make a landmark appearance for Derby County in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final against Aston Villa.
The 18-year-old, who only made his professional debut in August, is in line to make his 50th appearance for the club on Monday.
It’s been an unbelievable breakthrough season for the youngster who made his debut for the Rams in the Carabao Cup First Round against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.
Hisl league bow followed four days later against Millwall at the Den and from that moment, the youngster has gone from strength-to-strength.
Eight assists, the most from any Derby player this season, and two goals, one crucial in the victory over Bristol City, have followed and propelled Bogle’s status to one of the best right-backs in the division.
When he steps out at Wembley on Monday to the roar of 90,000 supporters, he is determined to make sure it will be an occasion he will never forget.
“I can’t quite believe it,” he told RamsTV. “It has been a great season for me; I definitely didn’t expect it in my first one, especially being so young.
“It is credit to everyone at the club for supporting me all the way and hopefully we can get the job done. I just tried to take the opportunity when it came.
“It is something I always dreamed of as a kid to become a professional football player, so I wasn’t going to let that opportunity go when I got it.
“That has just been my main focus, to try and stay in the team, work hard in training and in games, on and off the field and do my best for the team.”
Bogle’s performances are testament to the faith manager Frank Lampard has placed in the youngster.
The pathway from the Academy to the first team has been created and Bogle could not speak highly enough of the boss.
“He has had a massive influence,” he said. “He has helped me defensively and I’m grateful for the trust he has put in me.
“It is hard for a manager to put their trust into a young player, especially in massive games and there have been a lot of massive games this season.
“Credit to him for giving me these opportunities and I couldn’t be more grateful.”
