Manager Phillip Cocu is expected to make some changes ahead of tonight’s Carabao Cup first round encounter against Scunthorpe United, but has sent a message to his players ahead of the game.
The Rams travel to Glanford Park to face the Iron, who occupy bottom spot in Sky Bet League Two, and Cocu has hinted he will rest some players to preserve their fitness.
That will allow an opportunity for some players who have not featured as much to make an impact and make a statement to the manager.
“There will be some changes because also not all the players are 100 percent fit,” the manager told RamsTV. "You need to be really fit for the cup games. There will be some changes, I cannot say how many.
“All players who go on, they have to know how we want to play the game. We like to play football, when we ball possession, how we want to press.
“They just have to show us that they are ready and if they get minutes they will help the team and do their job.
“If they show good performances in training sessions, then there is always the possibility to start in a league game.”
One man who will definitely miss tonight’s game is full back Jayden Bogle. The 19-year-old was forced off through injury during Saturday’s goalless draw with Swansea City and the manager admitted he will not be involved this evening.
“As we speak he is doing some exams in the clinic and we will have to wait and see if it is a serious injury, but hopefully it is only small,” Cocu said. “Hopefully he will be able to play on the weekend.”
Max Lowe, who spent last season out on loan in the Scottish Premiership with Aberdeen, replaced Bogle on Saturday and could feature this evening against the Iron.
“Max did well,” he commented. “It is not easy to come on during the game, especially in the moment he came on when it was high tempo and then play on the right side.
“He did very well and made a good impression in training. It is more easy if you are ready to help the team if we need you. He can look back on a good game and he can help us on the right side.”
There could potentially be a debut for Krystian Bielik who signed on a permanent deal from Arsenal 10 days ago.
“It is possible to see how long Krystian can play,” Cocu admitted. “He needs some more time but there will always be a moment where he has to step in in a game to get his first game experience.”