Derby County host Birmingham City at Pride Park this weekend and it’s an encounter which may see former Rams target Sam Cosgrove make his first start for the Blues.
Cosgove joined Birmingham in the January transfer window.
The former Everton youth player was highly sought-after at Aberdeen, attracting the attentions of several Championship clubs after netting 47 goals in Scotland.
The Evening Express claimed Derby, Stoke City and Middlesbrough were keen.
But it was Birmingham who won the race for his signature, signing the 24-year-old for a fee in the region of £2 million towards the end of the January transfer window.
Cosgrove, however, has yet to make an impression at Birmingham.
The 6ft 4inch striker has made just ten substitute appearances, with Lukas Jutkiewicz and Scott Hogan predominantly playing as a front two under Lee Bowyer.
But Hogan’s injury in midweek could hand Cosgrove an opportunity to face Derby.
Derby host the Blues in what will be a huge match in the race for Championship survival.
Birmingham have been superb under Bowyer, picking up 11 points in their last five games including a victory at Rotherham United to pull well clear of danger.
Derby, however, have won just one of their past 12 games.
Wayne Rooney’s side are four points above Rotherham in the drop zone. The Millers, however, have two games in hand while Sheffield Wednesday are still fighting below them.
Rooney told reporters how the game at Preston North End was a must-win encounter. The Rams lost 3-0, and the performance was among their worst of the season.
Derby need a reaction. Cosgrove, meanwhile, must be itching to make an impact and it would certainly be ironic if he was to help plunge Derby further into despair.
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