Derby County host Chesterfield Town on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup and striker James Collins will be hoping to make his mark.
The Rams return for their first home game of the 2024/25 season after a disappointing 4-2 defeat at Blackburn Rovers on Friday night.
Paul Warne will be hoping to build some momentum as his side search for their first win of the new season.
One Derby County player who will be hoping for a big performance is striker James Collins who could hit an impressive milestone against Chesterfield.
James Collins has a chance to hit Derby County milestone
The 33-year-old could make his 100th Derby County appearance on Tuesday night should Warne select him to play against the Spirites.
Collins signed for the Rams in 2022 following the departure of Wayne Rooney and Derby’s relegation to League One.
99 games later, he is hoping to walk out for his 100th appearance in black and white and maybe even to mark it with a goal.
He told Rams TV: “It’s a great honour. To get to 100 appearances for any club is a fantastic achievement, especially for this club, the size of it and the history it’s got.
“If I am selected to play against Chesterfield, then it’ll be a massive honour for me.”
Collins thanked Derby boss Warne for his achievement, saying there was uncertainty over his future when the manager came in.
“I was lucky that Paul Warne, after he came in, liked me as a player and allowed me to continue my journey at Derby.” He added, “I’ve signed for clubs with managers and they change and the new manager comes in and they don’t fancy you, and you’ve got to go and find another club.
“I was really fortunate that the gaffer liked me as a player, and he’s allowed me to continue my journey here to hopefully 100 appearances and 30-plus goals.”
How likely is James Collins to play against Chesterfield?
The Irishman didn’t start in the Rams’ opening game against Blackburn Rovers as new signing Kayden Jackson was favoured.
However, he did come on as a substitute in the 66th minute for Tom Barkhuizen when Warne decided to change formation to play two strikers.
If Jackson is Warne’s preferred choice up front, Collins could feature in Derby’s starting XI against Chesterfield to help rest the former Ipswich Town man should the Derby boss decide to rotate the squad.