Paul Warne could choose to drop left-back Callum Elder and unleash one Derby County star in a surprise role.
Callum Elder was one of many who arrived at Derby in the summer after spending a successful four years at Hull City.
Elder won the League One title with the Tigers in the 2020/21 season and was a key player throughout.
He started 44 of their 46 matches and recorded a whopping 10 assists from left-back while earning a place in the league’s Team of the Season alongside teammate George Honeyman.
The 28-year-old went on to make a further 57 appearances at Championship level, mostly from the bench but still managed to chalk up three assists.
Given the experience and quality he demonstrated at Hull, there was obvious excitement surrounding his transfer.
Supporters thought they were getting a high-level defender, but he hasn’t lived up to that expectation as of yet for Paul Warne.
The Australia international has missed 11 League One matches through injury and when has been given a chance, he hasn’t looked convincing.
Perhaps he’s still rediscovering his match sharpness after an extended spell on the sidelines, but having found it difficult to replace the injured Craig Forsyth, Warne now has a big decision to make.
He can either persist with Elder for the time being or throw Louie Sibley into that role instead.
Sibley has played started there briefly in the past and made a surprise appearance in that position for the U21s as they smashed Notts County 11-1.
Why Paul Warne should try Louie Sibley at left-back
Sibley is someone who is supremely versatile and has been utilised across various positions throughout his Derby career.
The 22-year-old has been used as a right winger, defensive midfielder, central attacking midfielder and as a left-sided midfielder.
Many believe his best position is as an advanced midfielder, floating into pockets of space behind the striker.
However, given the form of Conor Hourihane and Max Bird in the engine room, Sibley hasn’t made the starting XI since scoring for the Rams in a 3-0 victory over Leyton Orient in December.
That is a run of eight matches and for someone who has previously been hailed as “sensational” by writer Richard Cusack, he deserves to be starting more games.
While it’s a difficult task for him to dislodge any of the midfielders or wingers, there could be a potential route into the side at left-back, and Warne should unleash him in that position.
After coming on to replace Elder in the 3-2 victory over Burton Albion, the Derby boss showed where he intends on playing him going forward and he should consider dropping the Aussie for their trip to Lincoln on Saturday.
He’s quicker, more agile and can supply a better end product than Elder.