Northampton Town manager Keith Curle says Derby County’s Wayne Rooney will raise the standards at Pride Park ahead of their FA Cup clash, Northampton Chronicle report.
Derby face Northampton away in the FA Cup fourth round clash.
(Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images).
The Rams reached the fourth round by beating Premier League side Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. League Two side Northampton beat Burton Albion in the last round.
Speaking ahead of the clash, Curle hopes Derby rest Rooney as he believes the former England international still possesses the ability to win games on his own.
When he’s on the pitch, your goal is always accessible. He’s a great talent and a marvel to watch, His instinctive play, the ability he has and the enthusiasm of how he plays the game is wonderful. That’s what he’s bringing into Derby County now. He will raise the standards of that football club and the individual there because the players will want to impress Wayne Rooney.
Derby agreed a deal to sign Wayne Rooney from DC United last summer.
With the MLS side’s season not finishing until November, however, Rooney didn’t officially join the Rams until January. He made his debut in the 2-1 win over Barnsley.
The former Manchester United man has since helped Derby to wins over Palace and Hull City while a Duane Holmes injury-time strike rescued a 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough.
Rooney’s presence has certainly made a difference to Phillip Cocu’s side.
The 34-year-old may not be as explosive as his former years. However, he still boasts plenty of quality on the ball, and he raises the standards among his teammates.
(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images).
Phillip Cocu has hinted at making changes to the team to face Northampton. That said, Rooney will likely feature as the Rams target another win and a spot in round five.
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