Derby County welcome Plymouth Argyle to Pride Park for a Championship meeting on Saturday.
Derby County are looking to build on their huge midweek win over Coventry City when they kick-off this weekend.
The Rams came away with a 2-1 victory, securing themselves their first away win of 2024/25 in the Championship.
That result did little to ease the threat of relegation, however, with Paul Warne’s side still only three points from safety.
As for Plymouth Argyle, they are 22nd in the Championship table but will go level on points with Derby if they secure a win at Pride Park.
Plymouth are not in the best form, however, winning just one of their last five league fixtures. The Derbyshire outfit have also won one in five but drew three of those matches.
Ahead of the tie, much of the focus is on Wayne Rooney making a return to Derby.
- READ MORE: Derby County predicted lineup, team and injury news as Paul Warne faces dilemma vs Plymouth Argyle
Wayne Rooney opens up on Derby County spell
Rooney agreed to become a player-coach at Derby ahead of the 2019/20 season getting underway.
Rooney scored six goals in 24 appearances that campaign with the Rams finishing 10th.
The Manchester United legend eventually became the permanent manager of the club but after incurring a 21-point deduction, Derby were relegated at the end of 2021/22 and Rooney resigned.
Now, as per Plymouth Live, the ex-striker has now shared his thoughts on his time at Derby.
He said: “I have got very good memories. I met some very good people who we worked with through very difficult moments at the football club.
“I think during my time there we created a real good environment, so really fond memories. It will be good to see a few old friends who I haven’t seen for a while. It will be nice from that point of view but my job is here, my loyalty is here and we have to go there and try to get three points.”
- READ MORE: Forget Jerry Yates, another Derby County star was Paul Warne’s real hero in Coventry City win
Wayne Rooney name-drops two Derby County players before return with Plymouth
Rooney spoke about the difficult times he faced at Pride Park but was quick to highlight one positive from his time in charge.
The poor financial situation at Derby at the time forced Rooney to hand some young stars a chance, two of which he mentioned ahead of his return with Plymouth this weekend.
He added: “It was difficult times for the football club, for the fans, for the staff. We had staff members getting made redundant and losing their jobs, but we had to really try to keep it close-knit.
“It meant quite a few young players made their debut for the football club. Some of them are still in the team now – young Liam Thompson and (Eiran) Cashin. Obviously, Cash is suspended for the game on Saturday.”
As mentioned by the Plymouth boss, Cashin is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow of the season against Coventry but there is a chance Thompson could feature on Saturday.