Pre-Match Thoughts: 'We Have To Put A Performance On' - Warne

Derby County Head Coach Paul Warne says his team 'have to put a performance on in the next two games' if they are to stay in the hunt for automatic promotion.

The Rams currently sit second in Sky Bet League One, four points ahead of Bolton Wanderers, though they have played a game more than the Trotters.

Speaking ahead of Good Friday's home clash with Blackpool at Pride Park Stadium, Warne gave an update on the injury situation in camp, reflected on the 1-0 defeat at Northampton Town last Saturday and previewed a tough match against the Seasiders.

On the health of the squad going into Easter Weekend...

I've even got a starting eleven of injured players at the moment, so that's disappointing. As I always say though, it's next man up and we've just got to do what we can. The good news is, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has a really good chance of featuring as his scan result came back positive. We're hopeful he will be on the grass today and he will be available for selection. If he isn't available for Friday, he will definitely be available for Portsmouth on Tuesday. Tyrese Fornah is back too, so that's another one in the 'back' column.

On how close James Collins is to a return...

He's close. We'll see what he's like in training today. Last Saturday's game was a bit too soon for Collo although he is still way ahead of schedule. However, if he's the best one out of the strikers in the next two days of training he can have the jersey, it's as simple as that. As long as he doesn't have some sort of set-back, he will definitely be in the squad for Friday's game.

On trying to put the Northampton Town result right...

Realistically it doesn't matter what the game is or who the opposition are, if you don't take your chances then you won't win. We created four really good chances at Northampton and conceded two very good chances. We didn't take them. Whether you play well or not, it's always down to that. It's just about re-emphasising the fact to not waste periods of the game. We would have taken where we are in the table now if offered it at the start of the season. It's disappointing that we didn't take anything from last weekend but, honestly, it doesn't surprise me. Football has a nice way of giving you a good crack. We created enough chances to win and we didn't take them. We have to put a performance on in the next two games to stay in the hunt.

On facing Blackpool...

They are good. I've always liked their squad, their players and I like Neil Critchley. At home in the Carabao Cup in August, they embarrassed us and I'll openly admit that. We played well away from home in October and beat them at their place. In recent weeks they have beaten Bolton Wanderers, Peterborough United and drew with Portsmouth, so they are a side that seem to do very well against the better teams. This is as tough as the Bolton home game looked the other week and we have to be ready for it.