Derby County’s U21 side were in action this week and one youngster may have done enough to earn a place in the first-team squad that takes on Sheffield United this weekend.
The Rams’ U21 team were in action in The Central League on Tuesday afternoon, taking on Wrexham.
The clash took place at the FAW Training Centre in Newport. Jake Buxton will have been keen to see his side get back to winning ways in midweek after they lost 3-2 to Bournemouth in the Premier League Cup on Friday night.
When all was said and done, it was a comfortable victory for Derby County’s youth team.
First-team players Rohan Luthra, Joe Ward and Dajaune Brown were all in action versus Wrexham, with two of that trio getting on the scoresheet.
Brown netted a brace while Ward scored the fifth and final goal of the game to hand Derby a 5-0 victory.
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Paul Warne should unleash Dajaune Brown for Derby County vs Sheffield United
Brown is a product of the Rams’ academy and broke into the senior side last season, notching a total of eight appearances to date.
Several clubs wanted to sign Brown over the summer but Warne opted to keep the 18-year-old at Pride Park for the time being.
The Nottingham-born youngster has previously spent time out loan with Gateshead where he was dubbed ‘special’ by Matthew Raisbeck, as per Chronicle Live.
So far this season, Brown has made two Carabao Cup appearances for Derby but only played one minute in the league.
The Derbyshire outfit’s next Championship fixture takes place on Saturday and sees them travel to Bramall Lane for a meeting with Sheffield United.
And after his starring display for the club’s U21 side this week, Paul Warne should consider handing Brown his first league start of the campaign against the Blades.
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Why Dajaune Brown can be key player for Derby County this season
Brown still has very little experience at senior level but Warne may have to rely quite heavily on the youngster for at least the first half of 2024/25.
Derby failed to sign another striker during the transfer window, leaving Jerry Yates as the only out-and-out number nine.
Yates missed the start of the campaign due to injury and has since failed to score in his first four appearances following his loan move from Swansea City.
The striker’s work off the ball and his link-up play has been excellent so far, but the lack of goals could come back to cost Derby.
Yates has never been a prolific goalscorer during his career and in turn, Warne should now look to hand Brown a chance to provide some more firepower up front in the Championship.