Rooney Makes Six Changes For Bristol City Clash

Manager Wayne Rooney has named an experimental side for this afternoon’s Sky Bet Championship clash against Bristol City at Pride Park Stadium (3pm kick off).

The Rams’ battle to stay in the division came to an end on Easter Monday as defeat against Queens Park Rangers ensured Derby would be playing third tier football next season.

But, Rooney’s side still have three games remaining this season and they will not be taking their foot off the gas as Nigel Pearson’s Robins side are the visitors to Pride Park this afternoon.

The starting 11 will not come as a surprise to anyone as the manager named his team in his RamsTV interview 24 hours prior to the game.

He has handed a full senior debut to Under-23s striker Bartosz Cybulski, who has made three appearances from the substitute’s bench this season.

The forward will lead the line this afternoon, whilst there is also a start for Louie Watson, who makes his first start since the opening game of the season against Huddersfield Town.

Richard Stearman and Craig Forsyth return to the starting 11, as does Ravel Morrison and Max Bird who has served his three match suspension following his dismissal against Preston North End.

Rooney has made six changes in all to his starting 11, whilst he has also named youngsters Carlos Richards and Darren Robinson on the substitute’s bench.

Skipper Tom Lawrence misses the game following his sending off against Queens Park Rangers last weekend.

Derby County: Allsop, Byrne, Forsyth, Bird, Morrison, Stearman, Ebiowei, Davies (C), Watson, Thompson, Cybulski.

Substitutes: Roos, Sibley, Buchanan, Knight, Richards, Robinson, Plange.

Bristol City: Bentley (C), Atkinson, James, Williams, Martin, Weimann, Semenyo, Cundy, Klose, Scott, Benarous.

Substitutes: O’Leary, King, Wells, Idehen, Bell, Conway, Massengo.