Derby County’s matchday squad has been confirmed for this afternoon’s pre-season friendly at Northern Premier League side Matlock Town (3pm kick-off).
In what will be the side’s first pre-season fixture ahead of the upcoming 2023/24 Sky Bet League One season, Head Coach Paul Warne has named a strong side to take on the Gladiators and is expected to make a raft of changes at the break to spread the minutes across the squad.
Summer signings Joe Ward, Josh Vickers, Callum Elder and Curtis Nelson are in line for their first Rams appearances after linking up with the club last month.
Friday evening's signings Sonny Bradley and Conor Washington are not involved as they have not yet trained with the squad while Jason Knight and Louie Sibley miss out with knocks.
Winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing misses out as he is on international duty with Guatemala in the Gold Cup.
Under-21s players Darren Robinson, Riley Moloney, Callum Moore, Max Bardell and Ben Radcliffe will feature while Under-18s pair Dajaune Brown and Daniel Cox are also in the squad.
After unveiling their 2023/24 home kit on Thursday, Derby’s players will take to the field in their new strip for the first time.
Derby County First Half: Wildsmith (GK), Rooney, Forsyth, Cox, Ward, Elder, Robinson, Hourihane, Thompson, Barkhuizen, Collins.
Substitutes: Vickers (GK), Loach (GK), Bardell, Nelson, Cashin, Moore, Smith, Bird, Radcliffe, Brown.
