Rooney Makes One Change For Boro Clash

Manager Wayne Rooney has made one change to the Derby County side which beat Hull City 3-1 on Tuesday night for this afternoon’s trip to the Riverside Stadium to take on Middlesbrough (3pm kick-off).

The Rams are aiming for back-to-back wins in the Sky Bet Championship as they take on Chris Wilder’s side, who sit seventh in the table going into the weekend’s round of fixtures.

Rooney has made one change to his side from Tuesday night as Liam Thompson replaces Festy Ebosele, who notched his second goal of the season against the Tigers.

The winger picked up a slight hamstring injury during the win and has not been risked from the start and is is named as a substitute.

Elsewhere, Krystian Bielik starts his second match in succession following his return from a serious knee injury, whilst skipper Tom Lawrence is eyeing his 10th goal of the campaign following his strike during midweek.

Ravel Morrison returns to the substitute’s bench following his three-game suspension following his sending off against Nottingham Forest last month.

Middlesbrough: Lumley, Dijkstell, Taylor, Fry, Tavernier, Howson (C), McNair, Crooks, Connolly, Jones, Balogun.

Substitutes: Daniels, Sporar, Peltier, Watmore, Bamba, Coburn, McGree.

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

Substitutes: Roos, Morrison, Sibley, Ebiowei, Stretton, Ebosele, Cashin.