Following their Christmas break, Derby County’s Under-23s return to action this Sunday with a long trip up north with the aim of trying to complete the double over Sunderland.
Premier League 2 Division 1’s only two representatives outside of the top-flight will lock horns at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground (kick-off: 12pm) and ahead of the meeting, dcfc.co.uk has pulled together all the information you are going to need to know ahead of kick-off…
WHAT’S THE LATEST TEAM NEWS
Derby’s Under-23s are likely to supplemented with the inclusion of a handful of senior players this weekend.
That could see the likes of Darren Bent, Ikechi Anya and Jason Shackell feature against the Black Cats.
Max Lowe will not be involved after completing his loan move to Shrewsbury Town.
Luke Thomas and Jayden Bogle, however, may not be involved.
The duo were part of the 20-man squad that travelled to Old Trafford on Friday night and as a result, may not be available for the Under-23s.
Kyle McAllister continues to be ruled out of action.
SETTING THE SCENE
After being denied another scalp late on against Arsenal before Christmas, the Rams will be aiming for a return to winning ways in order to maintain the great work that done over the first half of the season.
The Rams head into their first match of 2018 sitting sixth in the Premier League 2 Division 1 table and are currently six points clear Sunderland, who currently occupy the league’s final relegation spot.
This weekend’s opponents are searching for their first win since October – a 1-0 away at Everton, which was only their second in Division 1 this term.
Looking ahead to the match, Darren Wassall told RamsTV: “Sunderland are the only Championship club in the Premier League 2 top division along with ourselves, so it adds a little bit more spice to it.
“We know that it’s going to be tough, it always is against Sunderland, they’ll earn the right to play and they’re physical.
“We’re not expecting an easy passage up there, it’s going to be a really tough and tight game.
“It’s important to win, you shouldn’t be a footballer if you don’t want to win, they need to have that winning mentality and we try to breed that here.”
Read Darren Wassall’s and Charles Vernam’s full pre-match interviews now on dcfc.co.uk.
HOW CAN I ATTEND?
Supporters wishing to go and back Darren Wassall’s men against the Black Cats will be able to enter Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground for the following prices:
Adults - £3
Senior Citizens & Under-16s - £1
The stadium has a covered seating area along the Main Stand side with uncovered standing areas on the other three sides.
Catering facilities are located behind one of the goals. The complex also features the Bob Paisley Bar, which is accessible pre-match. Snacks and hot and cold beverages are available inside the ground.
Supporters are warned that official parking is NOT available at the stadium and parking in the surrounding areas is limited.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME?
DERBY COUNTY U23s 2-0 SUNDERLAND U23s
Friday 25th August, 2017
Derby County’s Under-23s claimed their first Premier League 2 - Division 1 victory of the 2017/18 campaign with a 2-0 win over Sunderland at Pride Park Stadium towards the end of August.
George Thorne’s 31st minute strike from the edge of the box put Darren Wassall’s side ahead before substitute Offrande Zanzala rounded off a good night’s work with a clinical finish in added time.
Derby County U23s: Barnes, Stabana, Forsyth, Thorne (Bateman, 76), Wassall, Cover, Gordon, Elsnik, Bennett (Thomas, 72), Jakobsen (Zanzala, 79), Babos
Substitutes not used: Ravas, Karic
Sunderland U23s: Domingues, Robson (Gamble, 88), Hume, Rodwell, Taylor, Molyneux, Robson (Greenwood, 80), Nelson, Embleton, Diamond (Bale, 63)
Substitutes not used: Talbot, Allan