Rams Unchanged For Reading Clash

Derby County remain unchanged following the 2-1 victory over Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium last Thursday for this afternoon’s Sky Bet Championship clash against Reading (3pm kick-off).

Derby boss Wayne Rooney won’t be in attendance at the game today as he is unwell. Rooney has tested negative for Covid-19 and has cold-like symptoms, but has strictly followed the club’s Covid-19 protocols, implemented by the Chief Medical Officer, and taken the precautionary measure to not travel with his staff and the squad to minimise any risk.

He will instead be in touch with the coaching staff throughout the 90 minutes from home.

Rooney has elected to name the same side that beat the Potters last time out and Luke Plange will be aiming to build on his two goals for the Rams so far this season in three starts.

The young striker scored in victories against Blackpool and Stoke City late month as the Rams have won three consecutive games on the bounce.

Ravel Morrison and Colin Kazim-Richards, who combined for the winning goal against Stoke, are both named as substitutes, as does Festy Ebosele who also made a strong impact from the bench that night.

Reading: Southwood, Holmes, Halilovic, Carroll, Swift, Dele-Bashiru, Rahman Baba, Hoilett, Dann, Laurent (C), Ashcroft.

Substitutes: Cabral, Araruna, Azeez, Camara, Stickland, Clarke, Puscas.

Derby County: Allsop, Byrne, Forsyth, Jagielka, Jozwiak, Bird, Lawrence (C), Davies, Knight, Thompson, Plange.

Substitutes: Roos, Baldock, Morrison, Kazim-Richards, Stearman, Ebosele, Williams.