Derby County's focus returns to the Sky Bet Championship, following their Emirates FA Cup exit at the Fifth Round stage against Manchester United on Thursday night, when they host Blackburn Rovers at Pride Park Stadium on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off).
Phillip Cocu’s side will be looking to record back-to-back victories in the league after running out 3-1 winners at Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday in their last Championship outing.
Here, dcfc.co.uk has gathered all the information you will need ahead of the clash with Tony Mowbray's side.
TEAM NEWS…
Manager Phillip Cocu has an injury concerns ahead of their return to Championship action.
Defender Andre Wisdom missed Thursday night's clash against Manchester United due to illness and he will be continue to be monitored by the Rams' medical stafff.
Forward Tom Lawrence picked up a heavy blow to his calf during Thursday's match which forced him to be substitued before half-time which means he is a doubt for Sunday's game.
Striker Chris Martin, defender Matt Clarke and goalkeeper Ben Hamer reverted to the bench against Manchester United and could return to the line-up against Rovers, while George Evans is in contention after making his comeback from a lengthy lay-off with a calf injury against the Red Devils.
Youngster Louie Sibley impressed against the Premier League side in what was just his fourth professional start. and his seventh appearance at first-team level, and could be in contention to make his first-ever league start.
Tom Huddlestone is stepping up his workload after returning to training following just over a month out of action with an achilles injury but the game is likely to come too soon for the experienced midfielder.
Midfielder Krystian
Bielik will miss the remainder of the campaign with a long-term knee
injury sustained in early January, while Duane Holmes remains out of
action with a lower leg injury sustained against Huddersfield Town last
month.
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS…
Speaking to RamsTV ahead of Sunday's Championship fixture, manager Phillip Cocu said: “On two occasions in recent weeks we have shown we can get a good result in an away game.
“We have to make sure that if we can combine it with the good results we have had until now in the home games, then that is the way to consistency.
“We still have to do it and each game will be difficult.”
He added: “Blackburn are a team that are above us in the table, so for our target is to beat them and get closer to them.
“We work towards one game at a time and it will
be a tough match. If we can show the football that we did against
Manchester United, then we will have a chance to win it.”
More pre-match thoughts from the Derby boss in the lead-up to the match can be found across dcfc.co.uk and RamsTV.
TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE…
Tickets for Sunday's Pride Park Stadium clash are still available to purchase - and supporters will need to buy before 10am on the day of the fixture to avoid the matchday price increase.
Match Tickets for Home Members start at:
* £8.00 Child (Age 2-12)
* £12.80 Youth (Age 13-17)
* £16.80 Young Adult (Age 18-21)
* £24.00 Adult (Age 22-64)
* £16.00 Senior (Age 65+)
Important! Home Membership benefits include: 20% Discount on General Public Match Ticket pricing; free ticket to a club selected match; early access to tickets prior to general public on-sale; and zero online booking fees. Click here for more information.
Match Tickets for General Public start at:
* £10.00 Child (Age 2-12)
* £16.00 Youth (Age 13-17)
* £21.00 Young Adult (Age 18-21)
* £30.00 Adult (Age 22-64)
* £20.00 Senior (Age 65+)
Tickets can be purchased without a booking fee from the Derby County Ticket Office, presented by SeatGeek, but are subject to £1 per ticket booking fee if purchased online or via phone 0871 472 1884 (calls cost 13p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge); and an additional £1 per transaction delivery fee is applicable for tickets posted. Buy your match tickets here.
And have you tried this season’s brand new matchday experience, the Captain's Club?
Offering one of the best views in thestadium from only £60 (+ VAT) including match ticket and unlimited chef’s buffet table, the Captain’s Club is a relaxed informal matchday hospitality experience in contemporary surroundings with regular visits from captains, past and present. Book the Captain’s Club here.
For more matchday hospitality options, please email hospitality@dcfc.co.uk or call 01332 821073.
Match Tickets and Matchday Hospitality subject to availability. Terms & Conditions apply.
WATCH THE GAME LIVE…
Fans in the UK and
across the globe can enjoy the very best coverage of Sunday's match by logging on to RamsTV.
With the fixture against Rovers falling outside of the traditional Saturday 3pm kick-off slot, fans based in the UK and around the world will be able to stream the game on dcfc.co.uk or through the official Derby County App.
Starting from 2:30pm on Sunday, RamsTV’s Matchday Live show will provide fans with comprehensive and unrivalled coverage of the game.
It includes:
* The full match streamed LIVE and in HD
* A multi-camera mix covering all the action from Pride Park Stadium
* Instant and multi-angle replays
* Full match commentary with expert analysis
* Match graphics
* A full 30-minute pre-match show with interviews, exclusive features and lively studio discussion
* Expert half-time and post-match analysis
The game with Blackburn will be available to stream in the UK & Ireland for the one-off pay-per-view charge of £10, which is a price set by the EFL.
Fans outside of the UK will be able to stream the game as part of their RamsTV subscription or for the usual one-off pay-per-view price of £5.
You can pre-purchase access to the game now by clicking here.
Here’s just a taster of the RamsTV Matchday Live experience...
WHO’S THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
John Brooks will be the man in the middle for the Rams' clash with Blackburn.
The
match will be Brooks' second match of the season after taking charge of Derby's Carabao Cup Second Round tie at Nottingham Forest.
He has overseen 25 matches so far this season, in all competitions, producing 87 yellows and no red cards.
Brooks will be assisted by Richard Wild and Steven Meredith on the lines, whilst Mark Jones has been appointed as the fourth official.
PICK UP THE RAM…
In the latest edition for the 2019/20 season, The Ram sat down with Derby County forward Tom Lawrence ahead of the Rams’ clash with Blackburn.
Spanning across six pages, we spoke to the Welshman about his impressive recent form for Derby, his relationship with manager Phillip Cocu and aspirations for the rest of the season.
As ever, The Ram will be jam-packed with news and features and retails at just £3 from around Pride Park Stadium.
Here’s a brief review of what else you can expect from our #DCFCvBRFC edition of The Ram…
Exclusive Columns: Back in the Pride Park dugout, Phillip Cocu pens his exclusive column, whilst Match of the Day commentator Martin Fisher looks back on his Play-Off memories between the sides in 1992.
Interview:
We caught up with Derby County captain Wayne Rooney to preview Sunday's
game against Blackburn Rovers and also get his thoughts on Thursday's
Emirates FA Cup clash against Manchester United.
Introducing… Blackburn Rovers: Want to know more about Tony Mowbray’s side? We have you covered with an extensive opposition guide and we take a look at a historic meeting between the clubs.
Back in the Big Time: Our season-long historical feature takes us back 50 years as we look back on Brian Clough and Peter Taylor’s first season in Division One.
Academy In Focus: We look over Derby County Under-19s’ historic victory UEFA Youth League victory after it came to an end in the Last 16 in Austria against FC Salzburg.
Ewe Rams: We get an update from the Ewe Rams who will change their name to align with the progression of the womens’ game.
Around The League: We conclude the programme with a look at all the weekend’s action from around the Sky Bet Championship.
With all that in mind, written and designed in-house, in partnership with Ignition Sports media, The Ram, our award-winning official programme, really is the essential matchday purchase.
Alternatively, Ignition Sports Media offer a subscription service to ensure you receive every copy of your programme delivered directly to your door. Click here for further details of how you can order your copy now.
TACKLING DISCRIMINATION…
Derby County and fellow EFL clubs
are united in tackling discrimination and prejudiced behaviour in all
its forms and are reminding supporters that no forms of abuse will be
tolerated.
Everyone attending or taking part in a football match has the right to feel safe, valued and included and supporters are therefore being reminded of the positive steps that can be taken on matchdays.
Work is continuing with the Premier League and the Football Association to improve processes and procedures in place to address discrimination in stadiums, with commitments made to review how clubs sanction and educate offenders, tackle under-representation across all levels of the game and improve training provisions for stewards to ensure they are best equipped to recognise and respond to issues as they arise.
However, there is no room for complacency and the EFL and its clubs are reinforcing the collective approach to be taken under the header ‘Not today or any day’, if anyone experiences, or is subject to, discriminatory behaviour.
The EFL recommends the following methods:
1. Report it to a steward or Police Officer. Reporting incidents early helps Clubs to take immediate action.
2. Confidentially report it via the Kick It Out App, available on iPhone and Android
3. Report it to Kick it Out on Social media (@KickItOut), phone (0800 169 9414) or email (info@kickitout.org)
4. Via the Kick It Out website form at kickitout.org/forms/online-reporting-form.
In addition, clubs, players, managers and officials were also reminded of a matchday protocol introduced to domestic football ahead of the 2019/20 season, alongside The Football Association and the Premier League, in an attempt to ensure the matchday environment provides a positive experience for all.
The protocol is designed to ensure that incidents of abuse are effectively addressed, perpetrators are identified and dealt with, while at the same time make sure that the match is not unduly interrupted with a step by step guide mapped out to support participants take the right course of action in such a scenario.
Further details regarding the matchday protocol are available here: efl.com/news/2019/october/matchday-protocol---abusive-behaviour.