Interim Manager Liam Rosenior has handed a first league start of the 2022/23 campaign to attacking midfielder Louie Sibley for this afternoon’s Sky Bet League One fixture against Barnsley (3pm kick-off).
The 20-year-old has been rewarded for his string of impressive substitute displays in the league, whilst the Academy graduate also shone against Mansfield Town on Tuesday night as the Rams secured their passage into Round Two with a 2-1 victory at the One Call Stadium.
Sibley, who provided an assist for Conor Hourihane during the opening day victory over Oxford United on home turf, was a constant threat for Derby during the midweek cup win and has worked his way into Rosenior’s first team plans against the Tykes.
He is one of seven changes for the Rams as Rosenior elects to revert to a more familiar-looking side which has featured in the league. One notable absentee is captain Curtis Davies, who sustained an injury during training this week.
It means experienced defender Richard Stearman is handed his first league start of the campaign as he partners Eiran Cashin at the back, whilst vice-captain Max Bird returns to skipper the side.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Tom Barkhuizen, who both made an impact from the substitute’s bench on Tuesday, return to the starting line-up, as does Hourihane who came off the bench late on during the midweek win.
Left back Haydon Roberts and striker James Collins also return to start, while striker David McGoldrick could make his first competitive start for the Rams after he shook off a niggle sustained during pre-season and features on the bench.
Derby County: Wildsmith, Hourihane, Cashin, Barkhuizen, Bird (C), Collins, Mendez-Laing, Roberts, Sibley, Stearman, Knight.
Substitutes: Loach, Forsyth, McGoldrick, Smith, Thompson, Dobbin, Rooney.
Barnsley: Collins, Williams, Styles, Kitching, Andersen (C), Norwood, Benson, Thomas, McCarthy, Aitchison, Connell.
Substitutes: Walton, Marsh, Oduor, Hondermarck, Cundy, Wolfe, Cole.
