Derby County’s Under-23s are back in action on Monday night when they face West Ham United in their latest Premier League 2 - Division 1 fixture.
The Under-23s will face the Hammers at Loughborough University Stadium (7pm kick-off) and dcfc.co.uk has brought together all the key information you will need to know ahead of the game.
Team News
With manager Wayne Rooney's first-team squad reporting a near clean bill of health, the likes of youngsters Kornell McDonald and Jordan Brown, and midfielder Isaac Hutchinson, could feature for the Under-23s. With no midweek game, some first-team players that are short of match sharpness, including Festy Ebosele after recovering from a knee injury, could also get a run-out.
Attacking midfielder Malcolm Ebiowei recently joined Derby’s Academy
from Scottish champions Rangers and he could make his Under-23s bow
against the Hammers. After completing his move south of the border earlier this month, he was an unused substitute for Pat Lyons' side last time out in their 3-3 draw at Norwich City in the Premier League Cup.
Derby will be without young winger Tyree Wilson after he suffered a knee injury in the Under-23s’ 2-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion last month. The wideman is set for a number of months out of action and is rated as doubtful to feature this side of Christmas.
Summer signings Luke Plange and Courtney Clarke could make the matchday squad after missing the early stages of the season with injuries.
Pre-Match Views
Senior Professional Development Phase Coach Pat Lyons spoke to RamsTV ahead of the clash with the Hammers and said: “We have been very competitive in the games so far and I think the difference in the end has been the quality we’ve been up against.
“The scorelines have shown we aren’t getting well beaten; it’s pretty much been the odd goal each time.
“I believe we have progressed well and we’re improving. The game at Norwich on Monday was good and we just fell away at the end as they ramped up the pressure and equalised in the last minute.
“As we have said before, it’s a young team right now and they’re learning all the time. They’re getting up to speed and the match against West Ham, who have started the season very well, on Monday is another big one for us.”
He added: “We feel we’re in a good place at the minute, everyone is feeling positive, and now we want to put on a 90-minute performance on Monday night to get three points on the board.”
The Season So Far
Derby's Under-23s have tasted three straight defeats in Premier League 2 - Division 1 in the 2021/22 season so far, but their performances have deserved more in terms of points.
They began the campaign with a 2-0 defeat at Pride Park Stadium against Brighton & Hove Albion, before being on the end of a 3-2 scoreline against Leeds United.
Lyons' side returned to action after the two-week international break with a 1-0 loss at Everton earlier this month despite a spirited performance against the Toffees.
The Under-23s' last outing saw them play out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Norwich City in their first Premier League Cup tie of the campaign last Monday. Osazee Aghatise, Bartosz Cybulski and trialist Ali Al Hamadi were on target against the Canaries as their Group C campaign began with a draw.
West Ham United’s Under-23s have picked up two wins, a draw and a defeat from their first four league games of the Premier League 2 – Division 1 season. They got the campaign started with a 6-1 success over Arsenal, but tasted were beaten 4-2 at Brighton & Hove Albion a few days later.
They defeated another London rival, running out 2-1 winners against Chelsea, before the September international break and returned to action after the two-week break with a 2-2 draw at Leeds United.
The Hammers were also beaten 1-0 by Wolverhampton Wanderers in their opening Premier League Cup tie earlier this month, while they ran out 2-1 winners at Ipswich Town in the Papa John's Trophy last week.
Live Stream
RamsTV will be streaming the game live for supporters to watch.
In a change to the previous offering to supporters, this is available to Derby County Membership Holders and RamsTV subscribers.
Membership Holders will be sent a code to redeem to watch this season’s matches, while RamsTV subscribers simply need to log-in to their account.
Derby County Membership packages can be found here: membership.dcfc.co.uk/home and any queries should be sent to membership.help@dcfc.co.uk.
RamsTV subscription options can be found here: dcfc.co.uk/page/ramstv-live-streaming and any queries should be sent to academystream@dcfc.co.uk.
Ticket Information
Derby County’s Under-23s will continue to play most of their home fixtures for the 2021/22 season at Loughborough University.
Supporters will once again be able to attend the matches and tickets can be purchased in advance of each fixture from the Loughborough Sport website.
Advanced purchases are advised, and all tickets will be for the terracing areas of Loughborough University Stadium.
Tickets are priced as follows:
Season Ticket Holders: FREE (all Season Ticket Holders will be emailed a 2021/22 proof of purchase to show on arrival)
Advance Purchases: Adult £3.50, Concessions £1.50 (these include online booking fees)
Matchday Purchases: Adult £5, Concessions £2.50
* The doors will open for each match from 30 minutes before kick-off.
Stadium Address: Loughborough University Stadium, Loughborough, LE11 3TL.
Tickets for all of Derby County Under-23s’ fixtures at Loughborough University Stadium can be purchased here: loughboroughsport.ticketline.co.uk/derby-county-fc-u23.