Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne is expecting 'a very tough game' on Boxing Day when the Rams travel to the DW Stadium to face Wigan Athletic (3pm kick-off).

The Latics won the reverse fixture 2-1 back on the opening day of the season at Pride Park Stadium and, a number of months on, Warne is expecting an equally tough test on the road.

Speaking to RamsTV ahead of the contest, Warne gave an update on the squad fitness and looked ahead to the Boxing Day trip.

On the squad fitness...

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has got a problem with his shin and ankle so he's not training today (Saturday) and will be a doubt for Boxing Day, but everyone else is pretty good.

On the congested looking top six...

That's why points are so crucial and why I'm still heartbroken that we threw two away against Wycombe Wanderers last weekend. These three games over Christmas can see you either drop like a stone or rise up the table. If we can get a good return of points over the next three games that will be very good because we've got three very, very tough fixtures.

On his mid-term assessment of the season...

I think we've been really amazing in parts of games but we've not been as consistent in all the aspects that I'd like. We are constantly trying to improve because I don't think I've ever left a match and been fully content, but maybe that's because I'm getting old and grumpy! There have been some good performances and some solid performances but I still don't feel like we're at 100% and hopefully that will come soon.

On Wigan Athletic...

I think they've got a similar sort of squad to us in that their players have been there and done it and enjoyed success. They will relish the big fixtures like our team does but we need to concentrate on ourselves and what we're very good at and need to improve on. If their best players come to the party then it will be a very tough game.

On the trip Oxford United shortly after the Wigan game to see out 2023...

I knew Oxford would be a good side this year and the new management team have continued the good work Liam Manning and his staff had put down. I've always enjoyed playing at Oxford because it's a big pitch which I think suits us. It's another big ask but it's what we're in it for. Hopefully we can get a good result against Wigan and take confidence from that into the Oxford game and then we'll go into the Peterborough United home game on New Year's Day which I think will be a much more open match compared to the last two home games.

On whether he thinks he will learn anything from his team over the next few games...

I don't think I'll learn anything more than I already know. I think I have a really good feel of the group and who does what.