Full back Max Lowe was delighted to see fellow defender Craig Forsyth make his long-awaited return to the starting line up on Saturday in the 1-0 victory over Preston North End.
The pair shared the Man of the Match prize at the end of the game for their performances in the win which saw the Rams record five consecutive victories at Pride Park Stadium.
Forsyth was sidelines for 379 days with a serious knee injury, which was th third of his career. After long days and nights in the gym and on the training pitches, the Scottish defender made his return in central defence against the Lilywhites.
He lined up alongside Lowe, who impressed at left-back throughout the 90 minutes and the Academy graduate was pleased to see his defensive partner line up next to him.
“It was really nice because I have always had a bond with Fozzy because we have both had bad injuries in the past and I have done a lot of rehab with him,” he told RamsTV.
“To see him play the way he did on Saturday was unbelievable, I was just buzzing more for him than me. Hopefully he can carry that on.”
The Rams face Fulham tonight at Craven Cottage (7:45pm kick-off) and the pair might be called upon in defence once again.
With centre-back Matt Clarke ruled out with injury, manager Phillip Cocu elected to go with the experience of Forsyth in central defence.
Whilst it’s not a position he’s entirely familiar with, he has had experience playing there recently with the club’s Under-23s.
And Lowe, who occupies his more natural left-back slot, believes their partnership can only be a positive for the team.
“It is nice because he has had a great career at left-back and he knows what I want and where I want the ball so we can bounce off each other in the right way,” he said.
Derby head to the capital knowing they are without a win on the road since the opening day of the season.
However, Lowe is keen to turn around that form, and believes he is in a much better position now personally to help the Rams.
“My confidence in each game I have played at Derby and being at Aberdeen last year with the amount of games I played there, it has just made me feel more relaxed before games,” he admitted.
“I feel like I am more settled with the lads here and I like to think my performances have showed that. Hopefully the more games I play, the better I will get.”