Derby County have returned from their training camp in Alicante, Spain, as pre-season preparations ramp up with a trip to League Two side Chesterfield.
Paul Warne is readying his Derby side for a return to the Championship and recently, he’s been embedding several new faces into his first-team squad.
The Rams began their friendly schedule with a comfortable 3-0 victory over local side Matlock Town before dispatching League One outfit Stockport County 1-0 thanks to a Sonny Bradley winner.
Warne’s men have since returned from their training campaign in Alicante, Spain, as preparations for the second tier intensify.
A trip to League Two newcomers Chesterfield awaits, and this presents another opportunity for Derby to get extra fitness into the tank while weighing up the opponents they face in a Carabao Cup tie in August.
Derby County team news vs Chesterfield
Warne had major troubles with injuries last term, as he often had to navigate around key first-teamers being sidelined for spells.
One of those absentees was young defender Jake Rooney, who returned from an anterior cruciate ligament injury in September last year to play against Matlock in a friendly.
Rooney has outlined his ultimate aim to the Derby boss ahead of the Championship, as he plans to reclaim his place in defence.
As far as we know, winger Joe Ward is the only current player on the injury table, with the 28-year-old recovering from ankle surgery.
It means that aside from Ward, Warne has the blessing of a fully fit squad to choose from, including new arrivals Ebou Adams, Kenzo Goudmijn, Jerry Yates, Ben Osborn and Kayden Jackson.
Derby County predicted XI vs Chesterfield
Warne has lined up in a 3-4-1-2 formation in his first two matches of pre-season and that is unlikely to change against Chesterfield.
Josh Vickers is the only senior goalkeeper available to Warne, although that could be about to change after Derby agreed a £1.4 million fee to sign Swedish international Jacob Widell Zetterstrom.
Joining Vickers in the defensive positions will be a back three, likely consisting of Curtis Nelson, Bradley and Eiran Cashin.
READ MORE: Derby County star Eiran Cashin’s journey from almost released to Premier League transfer interest
Kane Wilson lined up as a right wing-back in the win over Stockport and he should keep his place while Warne could drop Callum Elder for new signing Ben Osborn, who should start at left wing-back.
The Rams lined up with a flat midfield two of Goudmijn and Adams last time out however, youngster Liam Thompson should get a chance to play next to the Gambian, with Goudmijn deployed further forward in place of Corey Blackett-Taylor.
Warne lined up with a front two of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Yates against County but perhaps he could give Dajaune Brown a chance alongside new arrival Jackson.
Derby (3-4-1-2): Vickers; Nelson, Bradley, Cashin; Wilson, Thompson, Adams, Osborn; Goudmijn; Brown, Jackson.