Phillip Cocu says Wayne Rooney’s impending return to the Derby County squad is an exciting prospect ahead of the upcoming November international break.
The 35-year-old Derby skipper has missed the side’s last three games after recently encountering an individual that has tested positive for COVID-19.
In line with UK Government and EFL protocol, Rooney had to self-isolate for a period of 14 days.
England and Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer will return to training on Friday and could potentially return to the squad for Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship fixture at AFC Bournemouth (3pm kick-off).
With back-to-back home games against Queens Park Rangers and Barnsley on the horizon next week ahead of the two-week international break, Cocu says having a player of Rooney’s undoubted quality available again will be a welcome boost.
“Wayne will be back on Friday and we will discuss how the situation is and what he could do in the time he was home,” Cocu told RamsTV.
“We will be pleased to have him back with the quality he has to give to the team.”
Rooney has made six appearances for Derby in the 2020/21 campaign to date, scoring once, with his last outing coming against Watford on 16th October.