Former Derby County forward Morgan Whittaker could be in line to face the Rams this weekend as Swansea City may look to make changes ahead of their playoff campaign.
Derby face Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium this weekend.
The Rams are currently four points above the drop zone, but that could be down to just one point as Sheffield Wednesday host Nottingham Forest in the day’s early kick-off.
Derby then host Wednesday on the final day of the season at Pride Park.
Swansea, meanwhile, are already assured of a playoff place after drawing with Reading last time out and manager Steve Cooper previously hinted at making changes.
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Now, the latest reports from Wales Online say leading scorer Andre Ayew has suffered a slight setback in his return from injury, and will likely be rested until the playoffs.
Ayew’s absence coupled with Cooper’s rotation talk provides Whittaker with an opportunity.
The former Rams academy product joined Swansea in January for £700,000 (BBC).
Cooper previously told reporters he signed Whittaker for the future, yet he has since made ten Championship appearances for the Swans and an FA Cup start.
Whittaker featured off the bench in Swansea’s 2-2 draw at Reading, and it would make sense to start him against Derby as he may have extra motivation with a point to prove.
The 20-year-old’s move came late in the transfer window, with manager Wayne Rooney using the sale to help fund the loans of five players including Teden Mengi.
Some Derby supporters felt it was a poor decision, sacrificing the potential of a long-term asset for risky short-term gain in the club’s bid to preserve their Championship status.
Whittaker may have the final word in Wales on Saturday, and it would certainly be ironic if he made a telling contribution to set up a final-day relegation showdown.
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