Derby County are back in Championship action this weekend as Paul Warne’s men travel to Millwall on Saturday.
Derby had a few players away on international duty, most notably Ebou Adams, Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Luckily, that trio have returned to Moor Farm with a full bill of health as the Rams prepare to place Millwall, who are six places and three points below Paul Warne’s side in the Championship.
The visitors will travel in their numbers once more on Saturday, despite failing to win any of their four away matches, with Warne praising the 3,000 Derby fans who are travelling to The Den.
Last time out, Derby clinched a 2-0 victory over QPR and since then, some of Warne’s first-team stars have returned.
Derby County team news ahead of Millwall
Heading into the international break, the Derby boss was beginning to see some of the injury issues pile up, with some tweaks required to keep the team competitive.
Fortunately, Warne revealed that as many as six Derby players could be available for the trip to Millwall.
Callum Elder and Ben Osborn both joined in with training this week along with David Ozoh, who is ‘really close’ to a place in the squad after his hamstring injury.
Warne was boosted by the return of Jake Rooney earlier this week as he played alongside Tom Barkhuizen and Liam Thompson for the under-21s.
The only casualties at the moment are Tawanda Chirewa and Sonny Bradley, with neither player expected to be available this weekend.
Derby County predicted XI vs Millwall
EFL pundit Sam Parkin praised Derby goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and he keeps his place between the sticks.
Warne started with a back four of Ryan Nyambe, Eiran Cashin, Curtis Nelson and Craig Forsyth against QPR. Although Elder returned to training this week, he’s unlikely to be risked, meaning the same back four could be named.
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The midfield three that was selected in that win added a perfect balance of energy, tenacity and attacking quality, with Warne given no reason to replace any of Ebou Adams, Kenzo Goudmijn and the goalscorer Marcus Harness.
Supporters will hope that Ozoh – previously described as ‘gifted’ by Patrick Vieira – will make the squad, but he’s unlikely to make the starting XI.
One dilemma the Derby boss could have in attack is whether to reward Corey Blackett-Taylor with a start. Mendez-Laing is preferred on the left flank but he was only in action for Guatemala on Wednesday.
Warne will perhaps stick with Mendez-Laing, despite the promise Blackett-Taylor has shown, with Kayden Jackson keeping his place on the right and Jerry Yates leading the line, as ever.
Derby County (4-3-3): Zetterstrom; Nyambe, Nelson, Cashin, Forsyth; Adams, Goudmijn, Harness; Jackson, Mendez-Laing, Yates.