The Rams return to Blundell Park for their re-arranged Carabao Cup First Round match against Grimsby Town on Tuesday night.
For the second successive year, Grimsby Town stand in Derby County’s way of a place in the second round of the competition and ahead of the match, dcfc.co.uk has pulled together all the key information you are going to need to know…
WHAT’S THE LATEST TEAM NEWS?
As was the case two weeks ago, Derby County’s starting XI could have a very different feel to the one that beat Bolton Wanderers 2-1 at the weekend.
Gary Rowett, the Derby manager, made eight changes for the original tie and it is safe to assume that a similar number could be made on Tuesday night.
That could see the likes of Jonathan Mitchell, Chris Baird, Alex Pearce, Craig Forsyth, Craig Bryson, Ikechi Anya and Mason Bennett get chances to impress.
He told RamsTV ahead of the trip to Blundell Park: “We made eight changes last time and we might make more this time, it depends really.
“The thing is, if you make eight changes like we did last time and you bring in Under-23 players that is one thing.
“But, we are in a position where we could do that and name a team which looks very much like a Championship starting line-up.
“Therefore, it would be wrong not to give some of the players needing game time an opportunity.
“We would expect that the quality wouldn’t be compromised; if anything, it would be better because those players will be highly motivated to go and put a performance in.
“The lads that haven’t been in the team have been brilliant around the place, just like those were that weren’t in for the first two games but have started since.
“I have been really impressed and pleased with the mentality of all of the players and, as a result, I would expect a performance from them.”
WHAT DID THE BOSS HAVE TO SAY?
Gary Rowett told RamsTV ahead of the return visit to Grimsby: “It’s not that big an issue. Of course, it’s not ideal to have to go back and play the game against but we will get on with it.
“I am sure if we didn’t have a game this week we would be organising one for those that needed game time anyway.
“Rather than playing a behind-closed-doors friendly we have a really competitive game with a crowd there and a meaning on the game.
“I have read some of Russell Slade’s recent comments he wasn’t happy with their performance on Saturday and they will be pretty strong and motivated.
“It will be good test and, again, need to go and do the right things. This time, though, we hopefully won’t need our speedos and armbands to play the game.”
WHO IS THE PLAYER TO WATCH?
For a third successive season, Derby County will come up against a familiar face in the first round of the Carabao Cup.
It is likely that Ben Davies will line-up for the Mariners at Blundell Park on Tuesday evening.
Now 36-years-old, he faced the Rams last season when these two sides met in the competition, whilst he was part of the Portsmouth side that won 2-1 in August 2015.
Davies made 82 appearances – in which he scored two goals – for the Rams over three years before joining Sheffield United in 2014.
He then joined Portsmouth, where he was voted the clubs Player of the Year and was also in receipt of numerous other awards at their annual ceremony at the end of the 2015/16 season.
Now predominantly a right back, Davies played 26 times for Grimsby as they achieved a couple mid-table finish in their first season back in the EFL following their promotion at the end of the 2015/16 campaign.
Davies was also on the scoresheet at the weekend as the Mariners opened their season with a 3-1 away win over Chesterfield and recently featured in their 2-0 defeat at home to Coventry City.
HOW YOU CAN SECURE YOUR SEAT?
Tickets for Derby County’s re-arranged 2017/18 Carabao Cup First Round tie at Grimsby Town are still available to buy.
Those supporters that purchased a ticket for the original game have been supplied with a new one. Full details can be found by clicking here.
Rams fans will have until midday on the day of the game to pre-purchase their tickets in advance from the Ticket Office at Pride Park Stadium.
Tickets have been confirmed at the following prices:
Adults - £18
Senior Citizens (65+) - £11
Students (with NUS Card) - £11
Ages 15 to 18 - £11
Under-15s* (without an Adult) - £7
Under-15s* (with an Adult) - £5
* All children aged Under-12 must be accompanied by someone aged 18 or above.
Rams fans can buy tickets on arrival at Blundell Park - but there is a £2 increase on Adults, Senior Citizens, Students and 15-18 Years tickets. The Under-15s price, however, remains the same.
Payment is by cash only at the Grimsby Town Ticket Office.
Supporters can buy their tickets from the Ticket Office at Pride Park Stadium, by calling 0871 472 1884 (option 1) or online right here on dcfc.co.uk.
To become an Away Membership Holder for the 2017/18 campaign and ensure you’re in line to purchase away tickets first, visit: dcfc.co.uk/toptix/memberships.
* Calls cost 13p per minute, plus your phone company's access charge.
WHAT HAPPENED THE LAST TIME WE MET?
GRIMSBY TOWN A-A DERBY COUNTY
Tuesday 8th August 2017
Torrential weather forced Derby County and Grimsby Town to abandon the original meeting of this First Round Carabao Cup tie after 19 minutes two weeks ago
Heavy rain over the course of the afternoon in the Cleethorpes saw the Blundell Park pitch quickly deteriorate and Trevor Kettle, the referee, was forced to call the match off.
The Rams were leading 1-0 at the time through Richard Keogh’s early header.
Grimsby Town: Mckeown, Davies, Clarke (C), Collins, Dixon, Jones, Berrett, Summerfield, Bolarinwa, Vernon, Dembele
Substitutes: Killip, Cardwell, Osborne, Rose, Clements, Sawyer, Keeble
Derby County: Mitchell, Baird, Keogh (C), Pearce, Olsson; Hanson, Butterfield; Bennett, Russell, Anya; Nugent
Substitutes: Carson, Martin, Wisdom, Weimann, Elsnik, Bird, Gordon
WHO ARE THE MATCH OFFICIALS?
Trevor Kettle will, once again, take charge of Derby County's re-arranged 2017/18 Carabao Cup First Round tie at Grimsby Town.
He was the man in the middle for the original abandoned First Round tie two weeks ago, which fell victim of heavy rain after 19 minutes which left the pitch waterlogged.
Kettle oversaw 35 games in all competitions last season, producing a total of 137 yellow cards and six reds.
His last Derby game was the 4-4 draw against Ipswich Town at Pride Park Stadium in October 2013.
Kettle will again be assisted by Peter Gooch and Andrew Newbold on the lines, whilst Adrian Holmes has been appointed as the fourth official.
HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE ACTION
Due to Carabao Cup rights, RamsTV will NOT be able to stream their match with Grimsby live, but supporters not travelling to Blundell Park can expect a high-quality production leading up to and after the match
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from our #GTFCvDCFC production:
MONDAY
- The Bolton Wanderers Review Show (6pm) – Host Colin Gibson is joined by midfielder Tom Huddlestone and Shane Nicholson to review Derby County’s 2-1 win at the Macron Stadium, before looking ahead to Tuesday’s trip to Grimsby.
- The Pre-Match Press Conference (8pm) – Supporters will be able to watch back Gary Rowett’s full pre-Grimsby press conference.
TUESDAY
- Matchday Live (7:15pm) – Colin Gibson is joined live by Michael Johnson in the Pride Park Stadium studio to preview the Rams’ clash with Grimsby and all the team news coming out of Blundell Park.
- We will bring you an exclusive interview with Gary Rowett to discuss the evening’s team news.
- A Full Live Audio Broadcast (7:45pm) – Once the game kicks off, supporters will be able to listen to every kick of Derby’s cup-tie with Grimsby LIVE.
WEDNESDAY
- Match Highlights and Matchday Live Recap (12pm) – Supporters will be able to view the best of the highlights OR watch the full game back in full across dcfc.co.uk and RamsTV at noon.
The new RamsTV streaming service is available to all supporters who register on dcfc.co.uk.
To access the full RamsTV streaming service will cost the following:
First-Team Match Streaming (outside UK) - £110 annual subscription or £12.50 per month
First-Team Audio Commentary (worldwide) - £45 annual subscription or £5 per month
A link to packages can be found here.
The two premium services are in addition to the regular pre-match and post-match interviews on RamsTV.
Supporters will also be able to follow all of the action, as usual, across our social media channels.
We will be providing behind the scenes content across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, where we will also provide a blow-by-blow account of proceedings at Blundell Park.